NOAA's fleet of nine aircraft, including three hurricane hunters, now have a new home.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday at the new facility for NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida. NOAA needed to find a new location for their fleet after being notified by the U.S. Air Force that MacDill Air Force Base required the hangar and facilities the AOC has used since 1993.
“Our new state of the art home in Lakeland ensures NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center will continue to protect lives and property by collecting the high-quality data our hurricane forecasters need to keep Americans safe from severe weather,” said Ben Friedman, acting NOAA administrator. “I offer my sincere thanks to all of our partners for their great work in getting us ready for operations in this new facility so quickly.”
The new facility includes a 58,000 square foot hangar, office space, and room for repairs and storage.
Two Lockheed WP-3D Orions and one Gulfstream IV make up NOAA's hurricane hunter fleet. The Air Force's hurricane hunters were not part of the move.
Photo: NOAA