My last assignment before retiring from the U.S. Air Force was Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, just a few short miles from where the massive, destructive tornado hit yesterday afternoon leaving so many dead and injured, including children.
We lived very close to Moore, the small city south of Tinker that was especially hard-hit.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and friends.
Naturally, personnel at Tinker are very much involved in the search and rescue efforts along with nearly 250 members of the Oklahoma National Guard.
According to Tinker Air Force Base officials, the 507th Air Refueling Wing Crisis Action Team has been activated and officials are “are attempting to determine the specific impact to our personnel, their families and the local community.” Also, 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.
Below are images of those search and rescue efforts.
All Images DOD. Lead Photo Courtesy Chris Spannagle
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.