Keesler Airforce Base:Pictures taken DURING Hurricane(Graphic Heavy)

[true_notes]

These are from a buddy of mine currently stationed there. Keesler AFB is a multi-force training base that is currently being manned by AF,USN,USCG and USMC personnel. I did 9 months of weather training there, and it is a strong base...amazing what the force of nature can do.

It is home to the Hurricane Hunter squadron who fly the C-130 "Snoopies" into the brunt of the storms.

Keep in mind, this base is almost surrounded by water with the bay to the north and the gulf to the south.

A little familiiarization map for you:
http://www.terraserver.com/imagery/image_lv.asp?ulx=307619.586&uly=3373275.74&zone=16&res=30&provider_id=504&t=pan

Image One:Air Force Personnel survey damage in progress.

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Image Two:Over 4 Feet of Standing Water plagues the base.Note:A 2 1/2 ton truck was used. These are approximately 6-7 feet high.

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Image 3:Commissary and PX suffer insurmountable damage.(These Stores are 24 feet High!)
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From what I can tell, the Seabee base in Gulfport suffered a great deal of damage too.

[whistle]

1. Wow.....

[true_notes]

2. Impressive, eh n/t.

[Deb]

3. Thanks for posting these

I went to Keesler's website early this morning for word on the conditions there. This is what it said -

KEESLER UPDATE:

Keesler Air Force base has survived a direct hit by a Hurricane Katrina a Category 4 hurricane. Initial assessment shows extensive damage to our industrial and housing areas. We are deploying assessment crews and are in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and with commanders of many military bases who have offered assistance. The damage is severe enough that we are unable to leave our shelters until Thursday at the earliest in order to assure our recovery teams have cleared debris and made it safe for us and our families to return home. Brigadier General Lord and your leadership promises to keep you apprised of the progress of our recovery teams and release you to go home and assess your own damage as soon as it is safe for your family to travel. All pets at the Keesler pet shelter are in good health and weathered this extremely dangerous storm safely. We are doing everything within our power to clear the way and provide the best immediate and long term assistance to help each one of us in order to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Brigadier General Lord wants you to know we are not alone and will do everything we can to keep you safe and get you home as soon as possible. Please be patient. We all need to pull together and help us all make it through this difficult time safely.
http://www.keesler.af.mil/

I'll be sharing these photos with some people that where stationed there. It will be interesting to see what my brother has to say about it, he was stationed there during Camille and sent home photos of the damage. Thought is was strange that I hadn't heard the base mentioned as a source of help. I hope all those military families made it OK.