Air Force planes leaving Virginia ahead of Hurricane Matthew

NORFOLK, Va. — The U.S. Air Force is moving some of its planes from Virginia to Ohio ahead of Hurricane Matthew.

Col. Pete Fesler said in a statement Wednesday that he's moving 44 F-22 Raptors and T-38 Talons from Langley Air Force Base near Hampton, Virginia, to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, near Columbus, Ohio.

Fesler, commander of the 1st Fighter Wing, said the move is "purely a prudent measure" to safeguard against possible flooding and high winds.

About 100 support personnel will accompany the planes, which begin flying out Wednesday.

C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., sits parked on the runway apron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for safe haven on Oct. 5, 2016. The C-17s are taking refuge at WPAFB during Hurricane Matthew.

Photo Credit: Wesley Farnsworth/Air Force

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