The majority of special-mission aircraft that the 1st Special Operations Wing temporarily relocated from Hurlburt Field, Fla., last week due to Tropical Storm Karen are now back home, according to wing spokeswoman A1C Michelle Vickers. The wing’s remaining assets are expected back by the end of the week, she told the Daily Report on Tuesday. On Oct. 3, the 1st SOW began moving some of its AC-130s, CV-22s, MC-130s, and U-28s to Cannon AFB, N.M., and Little Rock AFB, Ark., in advance of Karen’s arrival. Maintainers put the aircraft that remained at Hurlburt in protective hangars, said Vickers. Concern at the time was that Karen would make landfall on the Florida panhandle as a powerful, destructive storm. However, by Sunday, Karen had dissipated and no storm watches or warnings remained in effect.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
