Airlifting ‘Gitmo’s civilians to P'cola

The U.S. Navy is preparing to airlift some 700 military spouses and children from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., ahead of one of the more powerful storms in the Atlantic Ocean since Hurricane Felix in 2007. Hurricane Matthew was moving slowly northward near Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba. It was a Category 4 storm early Oct. 3 with about 130 mph winds. By early Oct. 4, Matthew’s eye is due over eastern Cuba, where the U.S. Navy operates a naval base and detention facility. The remaining “Gitmo” military and civilian personnel will shelter in place to provide support and recovery efforts, the Navy said in a statement. (Source: Marine Link 10/02/16) Navy Region Southeast is coordinating with U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Transportation Command for the airlift to NASP. Family members would remain in Pensacola until it is safe to return to 'Gitmo'. NASP has quarters to house the families, and Fleet and Family Service Center counselors will be available to provide assistance. Pensacola Naval Hospital will also be assisting the evacuees by providing medical care and prescriptions. Heather Mattson, the wife of an army sergeant major stationed at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay, arrived to PNAS on Sunday with her son, two dogs and cat. "I am so appreciative of everyone that is helping," Mattson said via PNH's Facebook page. "This has been so well organized."