Whiteman Airmen respond to Missouri building collapse Published June 27, 2006 WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFPN) -- Fire and rescue specialists from here responded Monday to a statewide request for mutual aid after a building collapsed in Clinton, a town about 28 miles south of here. Nine people were rescued but one died in the incident."We were there to assist state and local officials spearheading the rescue operation," said Senior Master Sgt. Dean Turner, Whiteman Air Force Base's deputy fire chief. Whiteman people helped save nine people trapped in the rubble of the three-story building that partially collapsed during an Elks Club dinner."Our Airmen were on scene providing direct support to the initial responders and were later asked to crawl through the building's rubble and assist in finding trapped people," Sergeant Turner said. About 200 emergency personnel responded to the incident."Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Clinton," said Col. Greg Biscone, 509th Bomb Wing commander. "This was a tragic accident and during tough times people and communities come together to support one another. I'm glad our Airmen could lend a hand with rescue and recovery operations."