Story Created:
Aug 25, 2011 at 6:35 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Aug 26, 2011 at 9:15 AM EDT
The Georgia Air National Guard isn't taking any chances with its hulking C-130 cargo planes as Hurricane Irene churns off the East Coast.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - The Georgia Air National Guard isn't taking any chances with its hulking C-130 cargo planes as Hurricane Irene churns off the East Coast.
Lt. Col. David Simons of the Savannah-based 165th Airlift Wing said Thursday the unit had moved all 8 of its C-130s to Dobbins Air Force Base north of Atlanta.
Irene is forecast to pass the Georgia coast more than 200 miles offshore on Friday, with a chance of tropical storm force winds whipping the coast and possibly some coastal flooding at high tide.
Simons says the National Guard is just being extra cautious with the giant airplanes, which cost the military about $30 million apiece. If needed, the planes could be mobilized as part of the disaster response to Irene.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Most Popular