Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers and Airmen respond to a devastating tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin activated the Airman and Soldiers May 20, to assist in victim search and security. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James)
Airman 1st Class Tracy Barnhill surveys the damage of her mother’s house after devastating tornado hit the homes of those living in Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. Barnhill is assigned to 1the 37th Maintenance Group at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mark Hybers)
Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers and Airmen join civilian firefighters and police in searching for survivors through the rubble of a building that was devastated by a tornado that killed dozens of people in Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James)
The Moore Medical Center – Norman Regional Hospital in Moore Okla., was ripped apart by the massive tornado May 20, 2013. The hospital was directly in the path of the 1.3 mile wide tornado that hit Moore in the late afternoon. There were no casualties reported. Cars flipped over and piled on top of one another along with cars that were cleared away by first responders fill the parking lot. The Orange X spray painted on the cars indicates that the vehicle was checked and cleared of any victims. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mark Hybers)
A military member cuts trees that were brought down on homes after a tornado hit the town of Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Jon Quinlan)
Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers and Airmen respond to a devastating tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin activated the Airman and Soldiers May 20, to assist in victim search and security. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James)
Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assist with victim search and security after a devastating tornado ripped through Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. The unit members carried thermal imaging gear to help locate those buried in rubble. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James)
A U.S. flag flies from the ruble of a home destroyed in Moore, Okla, May 21, 2013. A powerful EF-5 tornado touched down approximately three miles south of Tinker AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Jon Quinlan)
A U.S. flag hangs from a home devastated by a tornado that hit the town of Moore; Okla. May 20, 2013, near Tinker Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Jon Quinlan)
A twisted up sign from SW 6th and Telephone Road landed in the front yard of Master Sgt. Cherry Bina. Bina’s house was destroyed during the massive tornado that ripped through Moore Okla., May 20, 2013. Bina is an 137th Air Refueling Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard member. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mark Hybers)
5/21/2013 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) -- Nearly 250 members of the Oklahoma National Guard, as well as members of Tinker Air Force Base are assisting with victim search and security in Moore, Okla., where a tornado left at least 24 dead, including nine children, authorities said.
The twister hit Monday, May 20, about 3:15 p.m. CDT, just three miles south of Tinker.
Tinker Air Force Base officials activated the 507th Air Refueling Wing Crisis Action Team and initiated accountability of all personnel assigned to the wing.
"At this time, we are attempting to determine the specific impact to our personnel, their families and the local community," Col. Russell Muncy, the 507th ARW commander, said in a press release May 20.
Among National Guard members activated to assist in relief efforts were Airmen from the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron from nearby Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City.
In a video interview, 2nd Lt. Gabriel Bird said the unit members carry thermal imaging gear to help locate those buried in rubble.
"Hopefully, we'll find survivors," Bird said.
Members also carried multi-band radios to communicate with ground and aircraft crews, and basic medical supplies, Bird said. "We're a pretty new unit, so we haven't supported any state emergencies." But Bird noted that many squadron members are veterans who have supported other disaster recovery operations when assigned to other units.
According to Tinker public affairs, 12 base firefighters and one safety officer were dispatched immediately to assist rescue efforts in the Moore area, and one surgeon was dispatched to the Oklahoma University Medical Center.
"In light of the devastating tornadoes that have hit the Oklahoma City area, I tasked the Airman and Family Readiness Center to stand up the Emergency Family Assistance Center 24/7 to ensure Tinker personnel and their families receive effective support during this most difficult time," said Col. Steven Bleymaier, commander of the 72nd Air Base Wing.
More information on disaster relief efforts can be found at the Tinker Air Force Base public website, www.tinker.af.mil.
(Information compiled from National Guard, 507th Air Refueling Wing reports)
Comments
5/23/2013 2:14:40 PM ET Updated numbers...only 24 dead inluding 7 children which is still 24 too many Amid the chaos some people were accidentally counted twice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who were affected.
SrA Bean, 138 FW-Tulsa OK
5/22/2013 12:47:20 PM ET i hope and pray the base has used lessons learned from the massive and catostraphic tornado that passed thru the area on May 3rd 1999.
bs, ks
5/22/2013 12:49:51 AM ET Our MORNING newspaper revised downward number of deaths to mid-20's as the 51 figure resulted from double counting reports.TV stations have since been reporting the mid-20's number.Check this out. Due to vagaries of tornado paths at least portions of this tornado on the Fuji Scale have been classified as F5 meaning winds greater than 200 miles per hour. I am a Retired USAF Severe Storms Shift Chief.
