Military units in the southeastern United States are preparing for Tropical Storm Isaac, which is barreling past the Florida Keys and may grow to a hurricane by the time it makes landfall on the northern Gulf coast sometime Tuesday. As a part of those preparations, the Air Force Reserve is moving aircraft from a special operations wing to Fort Campbell.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials say Isaac will probably strengthen to hurricane force once it gets over the Gulf of Mexico. In Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee officials have identified National Guard units that may be needed. Those soldiers and airmen are on a heightened state of awareness.

In addition to the National Guard preparations, the Air Force Reserve is moving aircraft out of the way of Isaac. Aircraft from the 919th Special Operations Wing have relocated from Duke Field, Florida, to Fort Campbell. Other moves being made include, the 325th Fighter Wing sending its F-22 fighters from Tyndall Air Force base, Florida, to Sheppard Air Force Base, Kansas; planes of the 482nd Fighter Wing have relocated from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, to Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas; and aircraft from 927th Air Refueling Wing have relocated from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, to Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire, and McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee.

Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the largest military installation currently in the path of Isaac. Base officials have declared Hurricane Condition 3.