Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Aftermath



Our hearts go out to the victims of this unbelievably catastrophic disaster.  And then there's this, from the Usual USAF Source:
Tinker Spared from Tornado's Wrath
The ferocious tornado that leveled large swaths of Moore, Okla., on Monday spared Tinker Air Force Base and the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, a base spokeswoman told the Daily Report on Tuesday. Although the base was up and running at mid-day on May 21, many nearby roads were closed and phone lines were down, and Tinker officials were still trying to make an accounting of the nearly 30,000 airmen and civilian employees who work on base, she said. Tinker dispatched assets—emergency vehicles and fire trucks—that, along with many volunteers from the base, were helping local authorities deal with the aftermath of the storms, which killed at least 24 people and destroyed a local school and hospital. The tornado hit about three miles south of Tinker, said base officials in a May 21 release. There are more than 18,000 dependents and 36,000 retirees in the six counties surrounding the base, which is Oklahoma's single largest employer. Tinker units operate E-3 AWACS and KC-135R tankers, and the Oklahoma City depot is the hub of repair and overhaul for the B-1B, B-52, C/KC-135, E-3, and Navy E-6 aircraft, and the F100, F101, F108, F110, F117, F118, F119 and TF-33 engines.
—John A. Tirpak
I feel personally affected by this in a small way.  I lived in Moore for three or four months when I was first assigned to Tinker back in 1983.  Yeah, that was a long time ago but having spent two and a half years in the OKC area I still have friends and acquaintances (former co-workers) there.  Everyone is OK as far as I know and we're counting our blessings. 

4 comments:

  1. Hey Buck,
    We are still here and among the living. It went south of us at Stanley Draper. Had damage from golfball size hail to roof and vehicles otherwise ok. We live at SE15th/Post. Don't need any more excitement like that thank you very much.....

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    1. Thanks for letting me know, Jesse. I most certainly hear you about that kind of excitement. I had MY fill in the two and a half years I lived in OKC.

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  2. I have mixed feelings about all of the media coverage.
    While I like knowing about what's happening elsewhere and details are a good thing.
    I can't help but think the media is profiting from the suffering of others.

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    1. I share your feelings on this subject, Skip. This toon pretty much sez it all.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask.