Andersen slowly digs out after Super Typhoon
PACAF News
12/10/2002
By Airman 1st Class Claudia Garcia-Strang 36th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - Residents here felt the full force from one of nature's most destructive forces Dec. 8 as Super Typhoon Pongsona released its fury.
The typhoon's eye passed over Andersen in the late afternoon and took more than two hours to completely pass before the full force of Pongsona, pronounced similar to bong-son-wa, ripped through the base.
Andersen Air Force Base went into Condition of Readiness 1 (Emergency) at 1:45 p.m. Sunday although the base started feeling the first winds of the typhoon at about 9 a.m.
"Pongsona turned into a super typhoon just before it hit us," said Capt. Van Smith, 36th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight commander.
Many trees and buildings on base took heavy damage from wind gusts estimated to be about 150 knots or 180 mph.
"We aren't sure exactly how strong the winds were because we lost our sensors before we hit peak winds," said Smith.
"The base infrastructure and facilities received major damage," said Maj. Val Hasberry, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Operations Flight commander.
Among the buildings on base that experienced heavy damage were the hangars on the flightline.
"Hangers two, three and four got hit hard," said 1st Lt. James Anderson, 36th OSS Airfield Operations Flight commander.
Medically, the base clinic didn't have any typhoon-related emergencies. The base clinic is open for acute care only and is not accepting regular appointments.
Currently, Andersen is on a boil water notice until further notice. Strict water conservation measures are also in effect for at least one week.
The 36th Civil Engineer Squadron is working to get power and water restored to the base, but the base's wells sustained major damage, Hasberry said. Right now, there is no set time for power to be re-established. (PACAFNS)
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