US Warships and Aircraft Evacuate in Response to Hurricane Milton

The U.S. military has been evacuating numerous aircraft and warships from bases in Florida to avoid potential damage from Hurricane Milton..

Over the past few days, the U.S. Air Force and Navy have relocated planes, helicopters, and warships from their Florida bases in anticipation of the destructive impact of Hurricane Milton, described as the “storm of the century.”

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), as of 5 p.m. on October 8, Hurricane Milton had intensified from Category 4 to Category 5, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storm had previously reached Category 5 status on the morning of October 7 but had temporarily weakened to Category 4 later that day.

By 6 p.m. on October 8, Hurricane Milton was located about 770 km southwest of Tampa, Florida, with sustained winds of approximately 265 km/h. The storm was moving east-northeast at a speed of over 14 km/h, according to the NHC.

MH-60R helicopters from the 40th Maritime Strike Squadron were preparing for takeoff at Mayport base in Florida on October 8.

Rear Admiral John Hewitt, commander of the U.S. Navy’s Southeast Region, ordered all naval bases in Florida to cease non-essential operations until Hurricane Milton passed the area. Kings Bay Submarine Base, located in northern Florida near the Georgia border and the Atlantic Ocean, was also directed to brace for the hurricane.

The KC-135 tanker and F-16 fighter squadrons at MacDill Air Force Base received evacuation orders as well. According to Stars and Stripes, 12 KC-135 tankers were set to relocate to McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas to avoid the storm’s impact.

Personnel at MacDill Air Force Base prepared sandbags to fortify against the hurricane. While many soldiers and defense staff relocated to safer areas, some remained on-site to secure the facility and provide local assistance.

At least three guided-missile destroyers, including the USS Donald Cook, USS Thomas Hudner, and USS Lassen, along with several other naval vessels, were ordered to evacuate to avoid Hurricane Milton’s effects. The USS Lassen was seen departing from Mayport on October 7.

Patrick Space Force Base also initiated special protocols starting October 9, maintaining only essential operations and suspending all others.

MH-60R helicopters were stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama on October 8, after leaving Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida.

Jacksonville is projected to be one of the areas directly impacted by Hurricane Milton.

The U.S. Navy confirmed that some ships remained docked at the Mayport naval base, but they were secured with additional mooring lines and equipped with gear to withstand strong winds and rough seas.

In a photo, U.S. sailors were seen tightening mooring lines on the USS Delbert D. Black destroyer.

U.S. defense officials reported that dozens of aircraft and warships were evacuated from Florida in response to the hurricane.

“Our top priority is the safety of our personnel and their families. The Navy has implemented comprehensive measures to protect its staff, facilities, and fleet during the storm. I urge everyone to remain highly vigilant, follow military and civilian warnings and instructions, and ensure the safety of all individuals,” said Rear Admiral Hewitt.