Emergency responders will descend upon Naval Air Station Meridian’s Outlying Field Joe Williams today to take part in an exercise to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, which begins June 1.

    The annual exercise, titled Hurricane Exercise/Citadel 2015 (HURREX/CG 15), is conducted by U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., and Washington D.C.-based Commander, Navy Installations Command.

    “The purpose of this annual exercise is to prepare the Navy to respond to weather threats to U.S. coastal regions, and to maintain the ability to deploy forces even under the most adverse weather conditions,” a base press release states.

    The exercise will include a scenario that involves a tornado spawned by a hurricane touching down at Outlying Field Joe Williams.

    “The tornado will damage the fire station on the opposite end of the building from the Fire Department,” the press release states. “The Fire Chief at that station will open the command post and first responders will conduct search and rescue operations in the damaged part of the building where Navy personnel are located.  The emergency manager, sheriff’s department, ambulance service and hospital in Kemper County also will participate.”

    “Training conducted during Hurrex/Citadel Gale 15 allows the Navy to ensure its preparedness to operate under the most adverse weather conditions,” said NAS Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Bunnay. “It serves to maintain a level of readiness. as well as determine if there are any areas where we can improve our ability to respond to natural disasters.”

    HURREX/CG 15 will involve two simulated storm systems developing and intensifying to hurricane strength, threatening the Caribbean Islands, East Coast and Gulf Coast regions.

    All Navy commands with personnel in these regions will participate, to include reviewing and exercising heavy weather instructions and procedures and accounting for sailors, Department of the Navy civilians, and Navy families in the affected regions.