Kadena weathers its first typhoon of 2015 Published May 13, 2015 By Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Typhoon Noul, the first typhoon of the year for Okinawa, hit the island May 12. The typhoon, which hit even before typhoon season begins June 1, only brought Kadena into Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness Caution, though it was predicted to be much larger and much stronger when it was first forecast, so Kadena prepared accordingly. "It was a bit weaker than previous typhoons," said Capt. Matthew Klick, 18th Operations Support Squadron weather flight commander. "We only had gusts of 45 knots and 35 knots sustained winds." The island of Okinawa is located in what is called "Typhoon Alley." Kadena Air Base, perhaps more than most other bases, needs to treat these natural storms as a part of the potential daily mission. It is important to know that while typhoon Noul did die down before it hit Okinawa, there have been multiple devastating typhoons in the past. Just last year typhoon Vongfong hit Kadena with gusts of more than 100 knots killing three military members, causing extensive damage to the base and nearly claiming the lives of two more, which is why it is so significant to pay attention to the notices and instructions released by Kadena and other island agencies. (Editor's note: Read the story of the trapped defenders at http://www.kadena.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123418011) "It is important to pay attention and follow the notices that 18th Wing Public Affairs and the Armed Forces Network put out," said Klick. Continually preparing for typhoons is important here, the storms can go from small to large in an instant and while the 18th OSS weather flight tries to give as much notice and information as possible, things can always change. "We had extremely good preparation for this typhoon," Said Master Sgt. Sean Danford, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness and emergency management flight superintendent. "We didn't get hit as hard as we expected so there was minimal damage from Noul. However, we need to continue to out-prepare the typhoons that come our way so we can continue to keep Kadena's Airmen and their families safe." While sometimes it may seem like the TCCORs progress at erratic rates, it is Kadena's main priority to keep it's warriors and their families safe. To read more on the destruction of previous typhoons and to learn more about how to prepare check out these links below: http://www.kadena.af.mil/library/history/typhoonalley.asp http://www.kadena.af.mil/library/emergencyactions.asp