HURRICANE MICHAEL: Canadian military families staying in Destin

Oct. 23--TYNDALL AFB -- This time of year, it's not uncommon to see Canadian license plates in condominium parking lots along the Emerald Coast, as people seek refuge from their cold winter.

This year, though, 31 Canadian families lodging in Destin have a different story. The families, all part of the Canadian military, were displaced from Tyndall Air Force Base as Hurricane Michael leveled the base.

Originally evacuated to Mississippi, the Canadian airmen were moved to Destin to be closer to the gutted base as they begin putting their lives back together. Late last week, their deputy commander, Royal Canadian Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Coates, met with them to make them aware of available support services and hear their concerns.

Among the major concerns of the Canadian airmen was schooling for their children, Coates said. Otherwise, though, "the morale was incredible," Coates said.

"It was amazing they were so focused and keen to get back to work," Coates said.

The airmen are the Canadian Element of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission in the joint effort with the U.S. includes monitoring air traffic over the continental United States, controlling U.S. fighter jet responses to any threats, and watching over air travel of the U.S. president.

As the hurricane approached, Tyndall's Canadian airmen moved their NORAD mission to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. In the days since, they've been rotating personnel into and out of Langley so airmen can return to Destin regularly to handle insurance and other issues.

Coates said just one of the 31 Canadian airmen and families lived in base housing, much of which was seriously damaged by the hurricane. But other airmen and families lived in communities that also were hit hard.

Those families have experienced "the full range" of damage to their homes, according to Coates, with some airmen hopeful of returning to live in their residences while others have been less fortunate.

The U.S. and Canadian military have agreements under which the Canadian airmen can get medical and other assistance through the American military, but much of the assistance available will come from the Canadian military, Coates explained. A Canadian team is assessing the needs of the displaced airmen.

"We're taking a family-by-family approach," Coates explained.

As far as the future of the Canadian Element of NORAD at Tyndall AFB is concerned, Coates doesn't yet have much definitive information.

"I've heard the intent is for us to return to Tyndall," he said.

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