The Air Force has shipped 300 doctors and support staff to Florida to help out with medical care as Hurricane Irma rages up the coast.
Four C-17 Globemaster III’s began moving Air Force medical personnel into the heart of Florida near midnight Saturday, just as many residents of the state were evacuating as fast as possible, Military.com reports.
Air Mobility Command spokesman Maj. Korry Leverett said in a statement that doctors and support personnel belong to the National Disaster Medical System. Leverett noted that this system “provides response capabilities to augment existing healthcare systems in affected areas.”
The collection of 300 personnel included doctors, nurses, paramedics and even veterinary staff.
The Air Force has also already established that Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama and Moody Air Force Base in Georgia will serve as central points for relief operations like lodging and dining, in addition to airfield operations.
“The Air Force stands ready to provide multiple capabilities, including vertical airlift, security forces, airfield repair and medium altitude persistent airborne platforms in support of hurricane relief operations,” Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said, according to Military.com.
As of Sunday morning, more than 1.3 million customers went without power in Florida. Officials have mandated that 6.5 million people in Florida evacuate the state.
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