Delaware National Guard prepares for Hurricane IRENE -- August 25, 2011 Published Aug. 25, 2011 By 030811 WILMINGTON, Delaware -- Three media availabilities will occur tomorrow, Friday Aug. 26; the first in the early morning at the Delaware Air National Guard air base in New Castle, the second late morning at Stern Armory, 1401 Newport Gap Pike Road in Wilmington, and the third in the early afternoon at the Delaware National Guard's Joint Operations Center in Wilmington. At 8:30 a.m. media are invited to watch aircrew board several C-130 aircraft, and observe the aircraft takeoff from the Delaware Air National Guard air base at 2600 Spruance Drive, New Castle. The aircraft will depart every 15 minutes starting shortly after 8:30 a.m. for evacuation to Mansfield Lahm Airport, Mansfield, Ohio. The aircraft are evacuating New Castle as a precautionary measure to protect against damage from projected high winds caused by Hurricane IRENE. Some Airmen will be available for interviews. Later that morning media crews are also invited to watch Soldiers at Stern Armory, 1401 Newport Gap Pike Road, Wilmington as they prepare Highly-Mobile-Multi-Wheeled-Vehicles and larger trucks, Medium Tactical Vehicles, in preparation of the upcoming storm. Beginning at 1:00 p.m., staff of the Joint Operations Center of the Delaware National Guard will be actively coordinating with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency to prepare for Hurricane IRENE in collaboration with emergency responders and state officials at the Delaware National Guard Headquarters at First Regiment Road, Wilmington. Some members of the JOC will be available for interviews. The Delaware National Guard works in coordination with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency to assist local and state agencies in protecting the citizens and property of the First State. The Guard is typically tasked with providing transportation support, especially for dialysis patients; fire and Emergency Medical Service support; and law enforcement support. The Guard can also provide assistance in debris removal and providing potable water when requested by DEMA. The Guard is fully prepared to assist DEMA and all law enforcement and rescue agencies in keeping Delawareans safe during this storm. The day will provide a unique opportunity for videos, photos and interviews with subject matter experts to speak about how the Delaware National Guard works and serves the State and the Nation. Contact for Delaware Air National Guard air base aircraft evacuation: Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey, Public Affairs Specialist, 166th Airlift Wing Cell phone: (302) 593-2126 Contact for tour of Joint Operations Center: Staff Sgt. James Pernol - Public Affairs NCO, Delaware National Guard Phone: 302-326-7194. Additional contact at Cell Phone (302) 233-6718 - 30 - Delaware National Guard First Regiment Road Wilmington, DE 19808 Staff Sgt. James Pernol 101st Public Affairs NCO (302) 326-7194 Note: Text slightly revised from original by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey, 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, to add clarifying information, but without changes to numbers, dates or to any other material data.