Amidst the darkness of Hurricane Helene, Columbus Air Force Base opened its doors and answered the call. On Sept. 25, Columbus AFB hosted 16 A-10 Thunderbolt II, two HC-130 Combat King and three HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft from Moody AFB, Georgia, due to a weather evacuation caused by Hurricane Helene.
A HH-60W Jolly Green II aircraft from the 23rd Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., parks on Strategic Air Command Ramp at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., in preparation for Hurricane Helene, Sept. 25, 2024. The 23rd Wing evacuated the aircraft due to potential high-speed winds, localized flooding and heavy rain caused by the hurricane. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hayley Brown)
Three days later, Columbus AFB undertook the unprecedented task of opening the airfield at midnight on Sept. 28 to facilitate the arrival of over 100 search and rescue personnel from the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, establishing a temporary hurricane rescue staging operation.
"Our teammates carried out a huge undertaking in support of the search and rescue teams during the disaster relief efforts of Hurricane Helene," said Col. Jon Cato, 14th Flying Training Wing deputy commander. "Team 14 understood the mission at-hand and the operational need; truly executing service before self."
The effort led by Maj. Kelly Myers, 14th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, and Capt. Erin Carozza, 14th Force Support Squadron Sustainment Services flight commander, required approximately 20 military and civilian members to work overnight Saturday to transform the base gym into a bed-down and temporary hurricane rescue staging operation.
Cots in the Columbus Air Force Base Fitness Center are set up as a temporary bed-down and hurricane-rescue operation at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., Sept. 28, 2024. The 14th Flying Training Wing received over 100 personnel from Davis-Monthan AFB to assist with Hurricane Helene search and rescue missions. (Courtesy photo)
"This cross-base coordination effort allowed for a combat search and rescue mission on the Carolina East Coast," Carozza said. "We tried to make it as comfortable as possible for these crews and they were so grateful for it."
The search and rescue unit typically has a 96-hour notice for missions. Hurricane Helene was the exception, providing approximately just a 12-hour heads-up that the team from Davis-Monthan AFB would be touching down at Columbus AFB in the early hours of Sept. 29.
"This operation showcased everyone truly coming together as a community," Carozza said. "That's what a community is; it's caring about your fellow man, and I couldn't be more thankful to be a part of a team that came together in such a huge way."
The search and rescue teams departed at 6:41 p.m. on Sept. 29 to a forward staging location in Tennessee. Though Columbus AFB is not resourced to operate the airfield overnight and host search and rescue assets, Team 14 made it happen.
"Thank you, Team 14, for your selfless dedication and sacrifice," said Lt. Col. Jaymes Hines, 55th Rescue Squadron commander. "We appreciate your tremendous support; truly humbled and appreciative...On behalf of the 355th Wing Rescue and Attack!"
