09/06/05

Katrinia Hits Keesler AFB

Here's what has happened to our own USAF brethren at Keesler AFB, Gulfport MS:

• Base housing was largely destroyed by a 25 foot wave
• There's 4 feet of mud in Maj Gen Utterback's house (2 AF/CC)
• MSG/CC house burned to the ground (gas leak caught fire)
• 6000 USAF members and their families are living in shelters
• The power will be out there for at least 3 weeks
• The 2nd largest USAF hospital (at Keesler) is closed
• Seawater got into the generator and they have no power
• Commissary/BX mostly destroyed
• Runway is operational; it's the only open airfield in the area
• Day/VFR conditions only
• Gulfport Airport is closed for the foreseeable future
• The fence around the base is severely damaged
• Keesler had looters last night -- Maxwell AFB is sending an SF detachment to reinforce the Keesler SF
• Parts of I-10 are under water; at least one major bridge is down
• Keesler has almost no communications (landline or cell)
• They are relying primarily on radios

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Obituaries:
Tribute to John Diesem
Col. Roy Jonkers
Col. Charlie Hoy
Major General Ratkovich
Col. Gus Planchon