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101st Airborne ‘Standing By’ To Help If Eclipse Causes Chaos

By

Stephen JerkinsWPLN News (File)
Units from Fort Campbell are preparing to deploy to Europe.
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The 101st Airborne Division will be on alert as a rare solar eclipse crosses Middle Tennessee on Monday. Fort Campbell has decided to suspend regular business for the day.

The installation’s commander says he doesn’t want the installation’s 30,000 personnel to add to the congestion expected in the region. Maj. Gen. Andrew Poppas also says his soldiers will be available if emergency responders need backup or military equipment.

“They have got incredible plans in place already,” he says. “But as always, with the relationship we have, we are standing by to support if necessary.”

Poppas says he’s happy to assist the community that his division is apart of.

In the Clarksville and Hopkinsville areas, officials are estimating the population could more than double for the day — potentially snarling traffic and making it difficult for emergency personnel to move around.

Filed Under: WPLN News Tagged With: ,

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Blake Farmer, Host, This Is Nashville

Blake Farmer is the host of “This Is Nashville,” the flagship weekday show of Nashville Public Radio. Previously, Blake spent 16 years at WPLN News, serving as host, editor and news director. Before a two-year radio hiatus with a Nashville-based healthcare company, Blake was one of the country’s most prolific healthcare audio journalists. He produced stories for both local and national programs, extending the reach of his reporting through a partnership with KFF Health News. Outside of work, Blake can be found running or biking on roads that other Nashvillians consider too busy for such activities. So far, he has always made it home to his wife of 20 years and two children.

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