Air Force recruiters prepare as Hurricane Ike bears down Published Sept. 10, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- As Hurricane Ike threatens to make landfall on the Texas coast Saturday, the members of Air Force Recruiting Service continue to prepare for its landfall. South Texas recruiting offices, including AFRS headquarters at Randolph Air Force Base, and the 369th Recruiting Group and the 341st Recruiting Squadron at Lackland AFB, are bracing for high winds and inordinate amounts of rain, said Lt. Col. Anthony Young, chief of plans and resources for AFRS. Squadrons located further north in Ike's potential track, such as the 344th in Arlington, Texas; the 345th at Scott AFB, Ill.; and the 343rd at Offutt AFB, Neb.; are also making storm plans. "We are advising the squadrons on actions to take to ensure the safety of recruiters and their families, and the safety and security of recruiting facilities and vehicles," Colonel Young said. Common precautions include evacuation, protecting offices to weather the storm and moving vehicles to secure locations or higher ground. A few offices may be temporarily closed depending on conditions; however, people interested in speaking with a recruiter are encouraged to visit www.AIRFORCE.com or call 1-800-423-USAF for the phone number of the nearest recruiting office to leave a message. Recruiters will return calls as soon as possible. "We have 27 squadron commanders working with approximately 100 people per squadron, spread over very large areas and multiple states, working to ensure recruiters and their families are able to evacuate and care for themselves and their offices (just as) as a wing commander would his base and base team," said the AFRS command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Vance Clarke. "They do a great job in ensuring they keep contact, caring for their people, and accomplishing our mission."