Take nothing for granted Capasso

PG01_09.QXD 5/24/2006 4:57 PM Page 1









Keesler Air Force Base Vol. 66, No. 20

Biloxi, Mississippi Thursday, May 25, 2006





Develop America’s Air men today ... for tomorr ow





INSIDE

COMMENTARY

Are you ready?, 2



TRAINING

AND EDUCATION

Gators fittest, 4 Pushups for points

Trauma training, 6 Staff Sgt. Brent Eggleston, left,

81st Training Support Squad-

NEWS ron, counts pushups by 1st Lt.

AND FEATURES Jeff Dolezal, 334th Training

Squadron, during the 81st

Good will rewarded, 8

Training Group’s fitness chal-

Birthday events, 11 lenge May 16. Results, Page

Helping hands, 13 4.

She’s “tops,”16 Photo by Kemberly Groue

Extravaganza, 18



SPORTS AND Optimistic hurricane forecast for Mississippi Gulf Coast

RECREATION

Civil engineers rule, 22

Swimming, anyone? 23

Take nothing for granted — Capasso

SECTIONS By Perry Jenifer Noting the optimistic forecast for this Hurricane Condition 5, where checklist

Keesler News editor area, Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso, 81st items are reviewed, updated or executed

Commentary.....................2 Training Wing commander, cautioned,

If forecasters have it right, this hurri- as needed, the general said.

Training and education.4-7 “We must not take anything for granted. “This doesn’t mean a storm theatens

cane season may allow the Mississippi We must make preparations early, review

News and features.....8-21 Gulf Coast to breathe a deep sigh of us, but that we need to heighten our aware-

them frequently and be ready to activate

Sports and recreation...22-23 relief. our plan at the first sign of a storm in our ness and preparedness,” he explained.

Digest.....................24-25 The season begins June 1 and contin- neighborhood.”

ues through Nov. 30. Effective June 1, Keesler goes into Please see Forecast, Page 9

Classifieds......................27





This week in the Triangle Student numbers

Keesler News on Web:

http://www.keesler.af.mil

Total students — 3,497

Communications-computer systems programming apprentice, 10 a.m. today, 9

a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday, Thomson Hall. Non-prior service — 2,191

Communications-computer systems planning and implementation management

apprentice, 10 a.m. today, Thomson Hall. Temporary duty — 1,306

Weather forecaster apprentice, 10:30 a.m. today, weather training complex.

Information management apprentice, 9 a.m. Friday and Wednesday, Thomson Combat controllers — 27

Hall.

Aviation resource management, 10 a.m. Friday, Cody Hall.

Basic instructor, 10 a.m. Friday, Hewes Hall.

Expeditionary communications officer, 11 a.m. Friday, Stennis Hall. Non-prior service arrivals — 157

Communications security manager, 11 a.m. Friday, Stennis Hall.

Ground radio, 10 a.m. Monday, Jones Hall. Guard, Reserve — 815

Theater deployable communications-data network, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Stennis Hall.

Theater deployable communicatins-transmission network, 11 a.m. Tuesday, International — 20

Dragons deployed — Stennis Hall.

Computer networking cryptographic systems, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Bryan Hall.

94 Radio communications system apprentice, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Thomson Hall.

Network management services, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Stennis Hall. April Honor Flight Fiscal 2006 graduates — 14,792

pg02.qxd 5/24/2006 3:43 PM Page 1









C OMMENTARY

As hurricane season nears, Be safe this summer By Maj. Gen. Mike Gould



don’t wait to plan, prepare Second Air Force commander

The Memorial Day holiday weekend provides some

well-deserved time off and an opportunity for social gather-

ings with family and friends.

By Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso Pay particular attention to the news for It also signals the onset of the “101 critical days of sum-

81st Training Wing commander weather information. Other useful resources mer” safety campaign that runs through Labor Day.

The first of June marks the beginning of include The Weather Channel, Weather Whether spending a day at the beach, barbecuing in your

hurricane season. Underground (http://www.weatherunder- backyard or swimming in your home pool, your chance of

Because no one knows what this year’s ground.com), National Oceanic and having a safe and enjoyable time are increased by being

hurricane season will bring to the Mississippi Atmospheric Administration (http://www. safety-minded.

Gulf Coast, we must do everything in our nhc.coaa.gov) and Air Force One Source Historically, the period between Memorial Day and

power to ensure we’re as ready as possible to (http://www.airforceonesource.com). Labor Day has proven to be the most dangerous time of the

meet the hazards associated with this weather Keesler doesn’t have approved shelter year for our Air Force family. Since fiscal 2000, 165 Air

phenomenon. space to protect the entire base population. Force, 22 Air Education and Training Command and seven

This week has been designated Hurricane Mission-essential personnel and students shel- 2nd Air Force personnel have lost their lives.

Preparedness Week. The goal of the obser- ter on base. The No. 1 killer, with 128 deaths, is motor vehicle

vance is to provide you with the knowledge to Mission-essential personnel dependents, mishaps. That constitutes nearly 78 percent of all fatalities.

prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. and non-essential personnel and their depend- Human error was the biggest factor in those mishaps.

By understanding your vulnerability and what ents are encouraged to evacuate. Exceptions While risk is inherent in everything we do, it behooves

actions you should take, you can reduce the to our current sheltering policy are handled on all of us to strive to minimize risk. Although we can’t

effects of a hurricane. a case-by-case basis. Your commander needs watch our people 24 hours a day, we can work to instill in

Hurricane hazards come in many forms: to know now if you believe you should be an them an awareness of their safety responsibilities. We must

storm surge, high winds, tornadoes and flood- exception. be totally dedicated and ever vigilant to protect our most

ing. If an official military evacuation order is valuable resource — our people.

This means it’s important for your family issued, pay close attention to the language of Enjoy your holidays and the summer months ahead with

to have a plan that includes all of these haz- the order because the minimum/maximum family and friends, and be safety conscious in all you do.

ards. That means having effective emergency travel distances may vary with each hurricane.

and evacuation plans in place. It also means Guidance on procedures for reporting back

planning and preparing ahead of the storm,

not improvising a response after it occurs.

to the base once you’ve reached your safe

haven is also provided in the hurricane sup-

ACTION LINE ... 377-4357

If you haven’t already done so, complete a plement. It’s important that we account for

By Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso

Form 21, Hurricane Sheltering Intentions. everyone.

Update it as often as you change your inten- Whatever this hurricane season blows our 81st Training Wing commander

tions. way, know this — the safety of our people is First, try to work concerns through the proper chain of com-

Create a hurricane kit. The hurricane sup- foremost in our minds and actions. Early mand. When you’ve exhausted this recourse, turn to the com-

plement on Pages A1-8 includes guidance on evaluation of storms as they develop ensures mander’s action line for assistance.

building a kit. timely decisions are made to provide the We welcome any suggestions to help make this a more valu-

When you evacuate, make sure you have greatest margin of safety possible. able and useful tool. You may call the commander’s action line at

both a primary and an alternate route in mind. Time after time, Team Keesler has been 377-4357, write to Commander’s Action Line, 81 TRW/PA, Keesler

Again, the hurricane supplement contains a able to take everything these storms have AFB, MS 39534-2603, e-mail 81 TRW Commander’s Action Line

wealth of information on evacuation routes, thrown at it, because our people have been (on-base) or commanders.line@keesler.af.mil (off-base). For a per-

including a map of the three coastal counties, prepared. This hurricane season is no differ- sonal response, include your name, address and phone number.

and a preparation checklist. ent. Make preparedness your top priority. Items of general interest may appear in this column.





Thank you, 2nd Air Force, for your support of AFAF

By Maj. Gen. Mike Gould The success of this year’s cam- All of this would have been for 2nd Air Force one of the hardest

Second Air Force commander paign comes from a combination of naught if the generosity of the indi- working units in the Air Force, it’s

As commander of 2nd Air Force different factors that, if one were vidual contributors hadn’t been there, also one of the most generous.

I’d like to send out a personal thank missing, would’ve made achieving and that’s where the members of 2nd The AFAF’s Air Force Aid Society,

you to each member of 2nd Air Force that goal much harder. First, the com- Air Force came shining through. Air Force Village Indigent Widow’s

who took part in this year’s Air Force manders at all of our bases gave their At the end of this year’s AFAF Fund, Air Force Enlisted Men’s

Assistance Fund campaign. wholehearted support to the AFAF campaign, all 2nd Air Force units Widows and Dependents Home

The AFAF provides our Airmen an campaign, willing to do whatever was exceeded their contribution goal by Foundation, and Gen. and Mrs. Curtis

opportunity to be wingmen to those needed to make it happen. With the 150 percent. This success is above E. Lemay Foundation provide assis-

who truly need help. From the top knowledge they had leadership’s full and beyond the call of duty. Even in tance to members of our Air Force

down, at Keesler, Lackland, Shep- support for their efforts, the AFAF the midst of a global war and a terri- family in dire need.

pard, Goodfellow and Vandenberg Air staff dedicated themselves to commu- ble natural disaster, 2nd Air Force I’m proud to know troops under

Force bases, the men and women of nicating the fund’s needs, as well as members still managed to take my command put out their time,

2nd Air Force have shown their great providing blanket coverage in their responsibility for their wingmen. The effort, and most of all, money, to

generosity by giving a total of more fundraising at each organizational results of this year’s AFAF campaign make a significant difference in the

than $600,000 to this worthy cause. level. speak for themselves — not only is well-being of the Air Force’s own.

pg04.qxd 5/24/2006 3:44 PM Page 1









TRAINING AND EDUCATION









Photos by Kemberly Groue



Maj. Don Alexander, white shirt, 338th Training Squadron; Capt. Damen Shields, Marine Corps Detachment, begin their 5-mile run at the Triangle

Freedman, 334th TRS; Senior Master Sgt. Nick Slater, 81st Training Sup- Track May 16 as part of the 81st Training Group physical training compe-

port Squadron; Capt. Max Lemons, 335th TRS; Staff Sgt. Jeremy Hobbs, tition. Captain Freedman won the race and helped the Gators earn the

332nd TRS; Capt. Chris Ford, 333rd TRS, and Marine Staff Sgt. Jimmy most points.





Gators shine in physical training competition

By Staff Sgt. Lee Smith at Lackland Air Force Base, ing test, Sergeant Biddle said.

Keesler News staff

Texas, was used. “For the push ups, a block

The 334th Training Squad- MARDET took the four- was placed under the individ-

person relay competition with ual’s chest,” he said. The per-

ron is the fittest training

a time of 13 minutes, 58 sec- former of the exercise had to

squadron on base.

onds. come down to the block for it

At least they were on May

The 332nd TRS earned first to count. Each person repre-

16.

in the push-up competition senting a squadron had two

Earning 44 total points, the

with 109. minutes to do as many as he

Gators blew away their nearest The 335th TRS did the

competitor by more than 10 or she could.”

most triple-set sit-ups with 41, “The sit up competition

points in the May competition and the 81st Training Support

involving squadrons in the 81st was actually three different

Squadron won the jump rope

Training Group and Keesler’s sit-up repetitions,” he said.

competition with 203.

Marine Corps Detachment. “The first repetition was a

The 338th TRS did the most

According to Master Sgt. normal sit-up. For the second

flutter kicks at 194 and Capt.

Donald Biddle, 335th TRS, rep the person had to come up

Damen Freedman, 334th TRS,

the training group has a com- took first place in the 5-mile and rotate to the right or left

petition for each quarter of the run with a time of 26 minutes, before coming back down,

year. 49 seconds. and for the third rep the indi-

“The first competition for The 335th TRS was the vidual rotated opposite side of

2006 was a bowl-off won by runner-up in the overall com- second. As in the push-up

the Marines in March,” he petition with 33 points. competition, the individuals

said. “We also did the confi- MARDET finished third had two minutes to do as

dence course near the base with 32 points; the 81st TRSS many as they can.”

soccer fields.” was next with 31; the 333rd For the jump rope competi-

The fitness competition TRS, 27 points; the 338th tion, individuals did as many

included a relay race in which TRS, 24; the 332nd TRS, 20 one-count repetitions as they

the first runner had to run points, and the 336th TRS, 0 could in two minutes without

three laps; the second runner points. stopping. The flutter kick

had one, the third four laps The push-up and sit-up competition had the individu-

and the fourth had two laps. competitions were modified als do as many kicks as possi- Senior Airman Nathan Peterson, 81st Training Support

For the baton, a flashlight from how Air Force members ble in two minutes with their Squadron, jump ropes during the competition. He earned

similar to the ones carried by would perform each activity hands placed under their but- first place in the event with 203 repetitions in two min-

airmen during basic training for their annual physical train- tocks. utes.

pg06.qxd 5/24/2006 3:45 PM Page 1









Trauma training for medics

returns to Wilford Hall

By Master Sgt. Kimberly Spencer

59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

LACKLAND Air Force Base, Texas —

Keesler medics

Trauma training designed to prepare physi-

cians for war has returned to the 59th Medical received training

Wing at Wilford Hall Medical Center for the

first time since 2001.

The advanced trauma life support course,

here last year

held May 4-5, is the standard on which all 81st Medical Group

immediate trauma care is based, according to For the first time last year, the 81st

course officials. Medical Group conducted two advanced

“As an American College of Surgeons veri- trauma life support course classes.

fied Level I Trauma Center, it is incumbent About 30 physicians underwent the

upon us to have critical personnel such as training spearheaded by the 81st Medical

emergency medical physicians and surgeons Support Squadron’s Education and Training

ATLS certified and to be an ATLS teaching Flight. Instruction was provided by a cadre

center,” said Lt. Col. Don Jenkins, 59th of 81st MDG personnel, as well as some

General Surgery Flight commander and the people from other bases.

new 59th MDW ATLS course director. Medics earmarked to deploy in the

The course provides readiness skills verifi- upcoming bucket were given first priority

cation training for deploying medical person- for the class, according to Lt. Col. Kelly

nel as well as continuing medical training Coleman, 81st Aerospace Medicine

required for all physicians.

“Our ATLS program got ‘interrupted’ in Squadron’s Readiness Flight commander.

2001 by Operations Enduring Freedom and “It is a requirement for some physicians

Iraqi Freedom,” Colonel Jenkins said. “We no before they deploy,” Colonel Coleman

longer had enough certified individuals in (the explained. “Most are current if they

continental United States) at one time to over- attended C4 (combat care casualty course)

see and teach the course. It was very difficult or recently came out of a residency.

for physicians and surgeons to have to find an “I am sure retired Air Force Col. (Dr.)

ATLS course prior to deploying.” Alvin Cotlar, director of medical education,

The training teaches immediate life-saving will try to bring the course back when the

care for trauma victims in a standardized fash- graduate medical education program

ion based on “tried and true” methods from the returns (in the summer of 2007).”

American College of Surgeons, Colonel

Jenkins said.

instructor re-certification and will teach future

Along with classroom instruction, students

take part in discussions, demonstrations and courses held here.

hands-on skill stations. Training blocks Students from San Antonio’s Madison High

include initial assessment, airway and ventila- School health promotions class served as the

tion management, triage scenarios, spine and moulaged “patients,” enacting scenarios rang-

spinal cord traumas, shock and abdominal trau- ing from car and motorcycle accidents to a

ma. stabbing and gunshot wound victim.

A variety of medical personnel attended the “The completion of the course allows the

course, including participants from the medical wing to once again become self-suffi-

Netherlands and Chile. Several members of cient to provide ATLS courses in the future,”

the wing participated as part of their ATLS Colonel Jenkins said.

pg07.qxd 5/24/2006 3:46 PM Page 1







TRAINING AND EDUCATION NOTES

Summer school USM program information screen at the Air airmen with at least 36 months Weapons training

Force Virtual Education Cen- time in service through master

Mississippi Gulf Coast The University of Southern ter's site when applying for sergeants with less than 17 Weapons training is con-

Community College-Keesler Mississippi offers a technical tuition assistance. years total active military ducted by the 81st Security

Center’s summer term is Tues- and occupational educational For further information on service from all Air Force spe- Forces Squadron at Camp

day through Aug. 11. bachelor’s degree program on tuition assistance, fees and cialty codes. Keller in Woolmarket.

Web registration for en- base. other education issues, call the For applications, call Master For more information, call

rolled students is under way. The next term starts Tuesday. education office, 377-2323 or Sgt. Kelle Turner, 377-3697. Staff Sgt. Barry Hardy, 377-3354.

New active-duty students reg- An academic adviser is at 2171. Civilian tuition aid

ister by appointment in Room Keesler Tuesday and Thurs- Scholarship program

214, old Cody Hall. day afternoons in Room 208, Supply classes Homefront America, Inc., a College tuition assistance is

The schedule is available at old Cody Hall. General supply indoctrina- nonprofit organization, has part- available for permanent civil

http://www.mgccc.edu. For more information, call tion, bench stock manage- nered with the W. Daniel Tate service employees at Keesler.

Students taking English 377-2309. ment, repair cycle manage- Family and Sara’s Hope Foun- Courses must be related to

composition I, oral communi- the Air Force mission.

Parking lot closed ment and equipment man- dation to fund a scholarship pro-

cation or mathematics classes For more information, call

agement classes are available gram for military children. or visit the education office,

for the first time are required The parking lot on the monthly in Room 109, Taylor The American Patriot Free-

to have an assessment of southeast side of the Keesler 377-2323, Room 212, old

Logistics Center. dom Scholarship Award essay Cody Hall.

skills. A computer version of NCO Academy is closed To schedule a class, call contest provides 20 individual

the assessment is available. Wednesday for drill evalua- 377-2270. $1,000 scholarships. Drill downs, parades

For appointments or more tions. For more information, go to Drill down competitions

information, call 377-2287. In the event of inclement Special duty jobs http://www.nmfa.org. are held every other month on

weather, the lot will be open. An Air Education and Train- the drill pad, and student

Summer term For more information, call ing Command recruiting team Testing dates parades in alternate months on

William Carey College’s Master Sgt. Cliff Nicholson, holds a special duty assign- The education office offers the parade grounds.

summer term begins Monday. 377-2780. ment briefing, 8:45-11:30 a.m. ACT, SAT and PRAXIS tests. Drill downs — 8 a.m. June

Special tuition rates are June 22 in Welch Auditorium. Deadlines are: 16; 7 a.m. Aug. 11 and Oct. 20.

available to active-duty per- Tuition aid change Positions to be discussed ACT — June 8 for July 11 Parades — 7 p.m. July 13

sonnel, their family members, Effective July 1, Air Force are recruiters, military training test. and Sept. 21; 6 p.m. Nov. 16.

retirees and Defense Depart- tuition assistance pays only leaders, technical training PRAXIS I — June 26 for For more information, call

ment civilians. for reimbursable fees associ- instructors, professional mili- Aug. 7 test. Staff Sgts. Kwame Felton,

For more information, visit ated with a class. tary education instructors and PRAXIS II — June 26 for 377-9527, for drill downs and

Room 208, old Cody Hall, or Place the fee amount in the career enlisted aviators. Aug. 8 test. Deanna Attaway, 377-2103,

call 377-0090. appropriate box of the course Positions are open to senior To schedule, call 377-2323. for parades.

pg08.qxd 5/24/2006 3:46 PM Page 1









N EWS AND F EATURES

Base switchboard operator IN THE NEWS

is Goodwill’s top employee Memorial Day observance

Maj. Gen. Michael Gould, 2nd Air Force commander,

is the keynote speaker for the Memorial Day observance

By Susan Griggs allowed to leave their work- at Biloxi National Cemetery, 9:15 a.m. Monday.

place together long enough to

Keesler News staff

check on their homes. The Commander’s call

Edna Lyons is one of Lyons’ third-floor apartment in An 81st Training Wing commander’s call is 9 a.m.

Keesler’s hidden heroes … North Biloxi had shifted on its Wednesday and 3:30 p.m. June 1 in Welch Auditorium.

people who worked behind the foundation, windows were

scenes to keep the base opera- blown out and mold was flour- Pecan Dining Hall closes June 1

tional during the nation’s worst ishing. Her car parked at home

natural disaster. The Pecan Dining Facility closes June 1, so the Live Oak

was destroyed. Dining Facility is expanding its hours to accommodate for-

Mrs. Lyons, a switchboard

operator who remained at her Firefighters come to aid mer Pecan patrons.

post during Hurricane Katrina, Nearly 10 days after the As of June 1, Live Oak is open 5:15-7:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to

was recognized May 11 as storm, members of the Mem- 1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. On weekends, holidays and down Fridays,

Goodwill Industries Employee phis Fire Department brought hours are 7:30-9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.

of the Year for 2005. humanitarian supplies to the For 403rd Wing training weekends, breakfast is also served

She reported to work at 4 area. One of the firefighters 6-7:30 a.m.

p.m. Aug. 28, the day before had a brother who worked Permanent party officers are no longer authorized use of

the storm struck the Mississippi with Mrs. Lyons. In addition the dining facilities. Permanent party enlisted members are

Gulf Coast, and remained on to bringing her insulin for her authorized to dine from 12:15-1 p.m. only. Officers, enlist-

the job until Sept. 7. Photo by Kemberly Groue ed and civilians on official temporary duty orders for train-

diabetes, they offered to take

Mrs. Lyons has worked at ing can use the Live Oak, Azalea and Magnolia.

Panicked voices her to Batesville, Miss., to

Keesler for 3 1/2 years. reunite with her family.

Mrs. Lyons was one of

“They said as long as I did- Pride Week June 12-16

four people who manned the Orange Grove home.

office in the telephone main- n’t mind riding in a big diesel Units and organizations undertake base beautification

“I was on the phone with fire truck, I was welcome to projects during Keesler Pride Week, June 12-16.

tenance building, answering them about two in the morn-

calls from family members go with them,” she said. For more information, call 377-5805.

ing when the house started The Goodwill award was a

and friends of students, per-

manent party members and

shaking and the roof was

coming off — then we lost the

total surprise to Mrs. Lyons, Vietnam POW exhibit opens

patients at Keesler Medical who admitted, “For the first Air Force Print News

connection,” she remem- time in my life, I was absolute-

Center. Other callers were bered. “I was really upset, but DAYTON, Ohio — Visitors get a glimpse into the

just curious about how the ly speechless.” lives of Vietnam War prisoners through photographs,

working kept me focused and

hurricane was affecting south kept my mind busy. I never 133 employed on base videos, dioramas and artifacts in a new exhibit at the

Mississippi. thought they were killed, but I Goodwill Industries, with National Museum of the United States Air Force near

“Most were DSN calls, did worry that they were hurt. about 250 employees in south Dayton, Ohio.

because people couldn’t get “We’re a very close family,” Mississippi, provides jobs, For more information, call (937) 255-3286, extension 302.

through on land lines and cell

phones,” Mrs. Lyons recalled.

she explained. “It’s the first

time we’ve ever been separat-

training and career counseling

for people with disabilities,

Milestone for VA home loans

“You could here the panic in ed in a situation like that.” low-wage workers, welfare Air Force Print News

people’s voices as they tried While the hurricane raged, recipients and other job seek- WASHINGTON — One of the most widely-used veter-

to get some kind of word on “it was a little like camping ers. Goodwill collects and ans benefits reached a major milestone May 13 when an

their loved ones.” out,” supervisor Carol Collie resells donated items to fund Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran from Texas received the

Military training helped commented. “We pooled our its programs. 18 millionth home loan guaranteed by the Department of

Her former duties as a food and slept when we Mrs. Lyons broke her neck Veterans Affairs.

technical sergeant in a combat could. We thought we’d just and tore her rotator cuff while VA-guaranteed home loans are made by banks and

support squadron prepared be there for a couple of days.” working in a manufacturing mortgage companies to veterans, service members and eli-

her well for the emergency When Mrs. Lyons was plant. She spent more than two gible reservists. VA backs a portion of the loan so veterans

situation. unable to contact her family years in vocational rehabilita- can receive a competitive interest rate without a down

“We’re trained to get the after the storm, she used a tion before coming to Keesler payment, making it easier to buy a home. In January, the

task done,” she pointed out. DSN line to call her ex-hus- more than three years ago. VA loan guaranty limit for no-down-payment loans was

“We tried to give callers what band, Maj. Archer Braxton, According to community increased to $417,000 from $359,650.

little information we could, who’s stationed at Eglin Air relations representative Jim For more information, visit http://www.homeloans.va.

console them, encourage Force Base, Fla. Collins, Keesler is Goodwill gov or call 1-800-827-1000.

them to be patient and keep Major Braxton headed for Industries’ largest customer

doing what had to be done.” Mississippi and found the on the Mississippi coast. Early Keesler News deadline

The hardest part for Mrs. family uninjured, but the two Currently, 133 people work on The deadline for submissions to the June 1 issue of the

Lyons was being separated daughters had lost their the switchboard team, custodial Keesler News is noon today due to the Memorial Day fed-

from her husband, Eddie homes and the two sons had staff, commissary stocking, and eral holiday Monday.

Lyons Jr., and four of the six significant damage. pickup and delivery of mail and The newspaper office is closed Monday in observance

children in their blended fam- Several days after the storm, BITS, the base information of the holiday.

ily who stayed in her son’s Mrs. Lyons and Ms. Collie were transfer system.

PG01_09.QXD 5/24/2006 4:57 PM Page 2









Photo by Kemberly Groue

The construction area west of the gas pumps still in use is fenced off.





Fewer gas pumps available

while construction under way

By Susan Griggs down the entire service station operation and

Keesler News staff

only sell gas with limited new gas pumps avail-

The first phase of construction of the Army and able during the duration of this project.”

Air Force Exchange Service’s new gas station, Mr. Schmidt expects the project to be com-

shoppette and fast food complex is under way, pleted sometime in summer 2007.

according to Daniel Schmidt, general manager. “AAFES encourages our customers to plan

“This phase required closing of several gas ahead during this upcoming hurricane season

pumps and limiting the selling to regular and not get caught in the last-minute gas buy-

unleaded gasoline only for the remaining ing we experienced this past season,” he

pumps,” Mr. Schmidt said. “This phase is emphasized. “The limited number of fuel

expected to last several weeks before we pro- pumps greatly reduces our capacity, but

ceed with Phase 2 sometime in July.” AAFES recognizes this limited service is a

“During the second phase, customers can huge benefit to our customers.

expect a shutdown of all gas pumps for several “The sacrifice made today for the future

days while a conversion is made from the old store is well worth it,” he added. “We appreci-

pumps to some of the newer pumps,” he con- ate our loyal customers and apologize for any

tinued. “In Phase 2, AAFES will also close inconveniences during this building process.”





Forecast, News’ annual hurricane sup-

plement is published with this

was a Category 3 in wind

speed, the storm surge was up

issue (see Pages A1-8). to 35 feet in some areas.

from Page 1 “The supplement is a good As witnessed in Katrina,

place for our people to start in the effects of a Category 3

The Atlantic coast, Texas making their preparations,”

and south Florida are at the hurricane include “large trees

General Capasso said. “It’s

highest risk of being on the blown down, most signs

eight pages of valuable infor-

business end of hurricanes in mation and maps, convenient- destroyed, major roof dam-

2006, according to the ly packaged so it can be age, window and door dam-

AccuWeather.com Hurricane removed from the rest of the age, some structural damage

Center in Pennsylvania. paper and kept handy through- to homes, many mobile

Southeastern Louisiana, out the hurricane season.” homes destroyed.”

Mississippi, Alabama, central Another resource is a Overall, forecasters don’t

Florida, southeastern South pocket-sized guide to hurri- expect this season to approach

Carolina and eastern Georgia cane preparations by the the record 28 named storms of

are described as at “moderate readiness flight of the 81st 2005. Eight storms made

risk.” At “low risk” is north- Civil Engineer Squadron. landfall in the U.S. last year,

ern Florida, including the Distribution is through units including Katrina’s double-

panhandle. and newcomers briefings. header — south Florida, then

Without predicting land- AccuWeather predicts five the central Gulf Coast. Four

falls, the National Oceanic and hurricanes and one tropical — Dennis, Katrina, Rita and

Atmospheric Administration storm will make landfall on

expects 13-16 tropical storms, Wilma — were Category 3 or

the U.S. coast this season,

8-10 hurricanes and 4-6 with three of the hurricanes stronger when they came

Category 3 or stronger hurri- Category 3 or stronger. ashore.

canes. A Category 3 storm fea- However, as Ken Reeves

In conjunction with the tures sustained winds of 11- of AccuWeather pointed out,

observance of National Hur- 130 mph and a storm surge of “It’s not the number of storms

ricane Preparedness Week 9-12 feet above normal. that is significant — it’s

through Saturday, the Keesler Although Hurricane Katrina where they make landfall ...”

pg10.qxd 5/24/2006 3:48 PM Page 1







PERSONNEL NOTES

Editor’s note: This column is a service of the Keesler News. Con-

tributors include the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force

Base, Texas, and the 81st Mission Support Squadron’s military and civil-

ian personnel flights.





Virtual outprocessing requirement

Air Force Print News

RANDOLPH Air Force Base, Texas — All Airmen undergo-

ing permanent change-of-station moves, retirements or separa-

tions are now required to use the virtual outprocessing applica-

tion available through the virtual military personnel flight.

For more information, contact the military personnel flight.

For

MyPay processes pay items

81st Comptroller Squadron

Keesler News

For information on processing pay items through myPay, call

the 81st Comptroller Squadron’s customer contact center, 377-

delivery

7272 or 4212. A personal identification number for myPay can

be issued or reset by e-mailing TRAVEL@keesler.af.mil from a or display racks,

government computer.

facility managers

Airline ticket credit process

If an airline ticket was purchased with a government travel card, call 377-3163.

apply for the airline credit by contacting your travel agent or the

airline.

If credit isn’t received within 30-45 days, call the Govern-

ment Card Service Unit to file a dispute. The phone number is

on the back of the card.

The bank requires a copy of the credit voucher for the unused

ticket or refund. The credit voucher must include the name of

the airline, date the ticket was purchased and ticket number.

For more information, go to https://www.mil.keesler.

af.mil./81cpts/FMF/GTCC/GTCC_main.htm or http://

www.saffm.hq.mil/affsc/.

Temporary duty travel tips

81st Transportation Squadron

People planning to travel on temporary duty don’t need

orders to make reservations.

It’s recommended that travelers contact the passenger service

office as soon as they know about official travel requirements.

Travelers must have airline tickets to board flights. Passenger

standby services are for emergency situations only, not for cus-

tomers who neglected to pick up their tickets. It’s the customer’s

responsibility to pick up tickets before leaving on official travel.

Use of the Government Travel Card is mandatory for pur-

chase of airline tickets.

Civilian employment information

Air Force Personnel Center

RANDOLPH Air Force Base, Texas — Civilian appropriated

fund employees and prospective applicants can get answers to

questions about employment opportunities, benefits and entitle-

ments online at the Air Force’s Customer Service Center.

A database at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/cst includes

hundreds of questions and answers. For online inquiries, users

who don’t find an answer to their specific question can submit a

query through the “Ask-A-Question” tab at the top of the page.

One-stop pay, personnel service

One-stop customer service for pay and personnel information

is available all day, every day by calling toll-free 1-800-616-

3775 or online at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/cst/.

Force shaping

For information on force shaping, visit the Air Force Per-

sonnel Center Web site, http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/retsep

/shape.htm, or call the AFPC contact center, 1-800-616-3775.

pg11.qxd 5/24/2006 3:48 PM Page 1







Keesler Idol,

card contests

base birthday

lead events

By Susan Griggs

Keesler News staff

Two activities lead the way

to Keesler’s 65th birthday cel-

ebration, June 12-15.

Keesler Idol preliminary

rounds are 5:30 p.m. today

and June 1 at Vandenberg

Community Center.

Participation is free and

open to all Keesler personnel.

Contestants register at the

customer service window in

advance or on the night of the

performance.

Contestants perform to

karaoke and are randomly

assigned to a category —

pop, country, rhythm and

blues, or jazz.

A final competition, 5:30

p.m. June 8 at the community

center, includes first, second

and third place from the pre-

liminaries.

The top three finalists com-

pete June 15 at Keesler’s

birthday bash in marina park.

For more information, call

Dave Bowers, 377-3308.

A unit birthday card compe-

tition is also planned, with a

$500 prize for first place, $250

for second and $125 for third.

Cards are made of 4-foot

by 8-foot plywood sheets with

4-foot poles on both sides for

support.

Plywood can be picked up

at Dock 4, Taylor Logistics

Center, Building 4002.

The card can be either verti-

cal or horizontal. All exposed

wood must be painted with

non-toxic, water-based paint,

including the back of the board.

Each squadron or unit can

enter only one card, with a con-

tact person’s name, squadron

and duty phone on the back in

the lower left corner.

E-mail michael.newson@

keesler.af.mil by June 1 to enter.

Entries are brought to the

parade grounds by noon June

12. After the opening ceremony

at 4 p.m., cards are moved to

marina park for display.

For more information, call

2nd Lt. Michael Newson,

377-7626.

pg12.qxd 5/24/2006 3:51 PM Page 1







Marina maintenance area repaired Katrina assistance is

blessing for secretary

By Susan Griggs

Keesler News staff

Rather than bitterness over

hurricane losses, Willa Talton

feels blessed for the generos-

ity of caring people.

Mrs. Talton, who’s worked

at Keesler for 14 years, is the

81st Training Group com-

mander’s secretary.

She’s one of the Keesler

people who benefited from

the Hurricane Katrina Relief

Fund. She used the $300

check to buy supplies for

rebuilding her North Biloxi

home. The house was gutted,

Photos by Kemberly Groue her husband’s truck was Mrs. Talton

destroyed and most of their

Above, the lower level maintenance area of the marina operations building was dam-

belongings were ruined. The Taltons’ oldest son,

aged by Hurricane Katrina. Below, repairs included new cedar louvers, exterior fin- The Thursday before Russell, helped them salvage

Katrina hit, Mrs. Talton a few items that are now

ish insulation and coating. Roll-up doors were replaced, steel was painted and new

worked on invitations for the stored in Russell’s garage in

lights and wiring were installed. The interior walls of the maintenance area were retirement ceremony for Col. Dallas. His church sent a

Jessie Canaday, former 81st trailer full of clothes, person-

painted and new ceiling grid and tile installed. Stairwell walls, steps and rails were

TRG commander. She want- al hygiene items and cleaning

also restored. The approximate cost of the work is $210,000. ed to mail them Aug. 28, the supplies for Katrina victims.

day the storm struck Keesler. “My husband, Roy, is

“When we left work that doing all the house repairs

afternoon, Katrina was fore- himself,” Mrs. Talton noted.

casted to go across south “The sheetrock is almost fin-

Florida, then back to the ished. My uncle built us new

Florida panhandle,” Mrs. kitchen cabinets.

Talton remembered. “Of “My mother was seriously

course, none of my plans ill since last July and passed

materialized.” away in April, so he missed a

That Sunday, the Taltons lot of time when we had to

evacuated to Panama City, Fla. go to Florida to help take

“I had second thoughts care of her,” she added.

about evacuating because we Mrs. Talton is grateful for

stayed during Hurricane the support she received from

Georges and were fine,” she co-workers, particularly the

pointed out. “I’m thankful we training group’s squadron sec-

decided to leave. We only retaries who filled in for her.

took a few outfits because we “We have so much to be

thought the storm would blow thankful for,” she remarked.

over in a couple of days. “There were so many strangers

Little did we realize our lives who showered us with love

would be changed forever.” through monetary gifts, clothes

The Taltons’ daughter and and other items. The family

son-in-law, Renate and John support center, the Salvation

Hurricane absences for civilians end Hathorn, returned to Biloxi

before they did and called to

Army and the Red Cross were

great. The Salvation Army

Wednesday is the final day for civilians to support center, Room 117, old Cody Hall. tell them only the shell of and Red Cross came by with

use up to 30 days of excused absence to attend For more information, call 377-2179. their home was left. hot meals and cleaning sup-

to personal issues caused by Hurricane “The people in Panama plies every day.

Katrina. Coins, patches City brought us clothes, gas, “I have seen so much good

Employees don’t get more than the original Operation Dragon Comeback coins and cleaning supplies, money — in people,” Mrs. Talton con-

30 days, but can continue taking leave to han- patches are still available. anything to help us when we cluded. “I pray God blesses

dle storm-related issues. Time is tracked on returned,” Mrs. Talton said. every one of them a thousand

The $7 coins and $5 patches benefit the

time cards in hourly increments. “We’re still living with my times more than they blessed

Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. daughter and son-in-law,” she us. My faith has really sus-

For more information, call 377-3142. Contact unit representatives or e-mail continued. “We were so tained me throughout the last

Air Force Aid Society eric.alvarez@keesler.af.mil, or anthony.bellocq@ blessed that we never had to nine months. I couldn’t have

Assistance requests are taken at the family keesler.af.mil. live in a FEMA trailer.” made it without God.”

pg13Humro.qxd 5/24/2006 3:52 PM Page 1









Keesler students help rebuild Biloxi







Airman Basic Allison

Freeman, left, 334th

Training Squadron stu-

dent, holds a board for

Richard Hartman, a

volunteer from Indiana,

during a humanitarian

mission in Biloxi, May

17. The house, at 813

Elder Street, received

damage from Hurricane

Katrina in August. The

group of volunteers

installed insulation and

built the framework for

the house.

Photos by Kemberly Groue









Airmen Basic Brenton Hobson and Kristian Hawkins, both students from the 334th TRS,

scape old paint off the floor of the Dukate Gymnasium in Biloxi, May 17. The volunteers Airman Basic Toddree Scott, left, and Airman Hawkins

helped prepare and clean the floor for a new paint job. sweep the Dukate gymnasium floor.

pg14VoIP.qxd 5/24/2006 3:54 PM Page 1









Photo by Adam Bond

Oscar Caldron, senior network engineer for INX, Inc., of Texas, installs a VoIP system at

Keesler Medical Center.



Keesler units work together

to establish new phone system

81st Communications Squadron Maj. Alan Estes, 81st CS com- doctor,” Major Estes said.

and 81st Medical Group mander. “Patients will have a prompt,

As Keesler rebuilds, the “Using the existing network accurate means of getting their

medical center serves as the infrastructure, installation and medical needs met.”

base’s pioneer for Voice Over implementation of VoIP will

Internet Protocol, an entirely Moving to this new tech-

be smooth and transparent to nology also allows Keesler to

new phone system that will the users,” he said. “This is

eventually serve a large por- rectify engineering oversights

because the phone uses an of the past. All phone equip-

tion of the 81st Training Wing.

Internet address to communi- ment has been moved from the

Members of the 81st Com-

cate with the network, much basement of the medical center

munications Squadron and

81st Medical Group collabo- like a computer. A server to the first floor.

rated with Air Education and routes the phone to the appro- Several redundant systems

Training Command, Air Force priate address, which is then have been installed, so patients

Communications Agency and translated into a phone num- have a means of communicat-

private industry to usher in ber. ing with medical personnel

this technology. “Despite this technological under all circumstances. This

The projected completion difference, the system will out-

enables the medical center

date for the medical center wardly appear to work the

same as the old phone sys- uninterrupted phone service to

installation is Aug. 31. all patients.

Along with this new tech- tem,” Major Estes added.

“Users will still have access to “Embracing VoIP has per-

nology, new medical center mitted the medical community

phone numbers become effec- features such as voice mail,

call forwarding, three-way and to achieve what many cus-

tive June 15. tomer service organizations

The facility receives a new teleconferencing.”

commercial prefix (376) and Because of the fluidity of strive to obtain: an unbreak-

DSN (591). medical center space, many able link between technology

Once finalized, the new clinics are going to be relocat- and service,” Major Estes said.

numbers are published in the ing in the coming months. “Ushering in this new tech-

Keesler News and updated in VoIP allows them to do so nology has spawned a new age

the base phone directory. without changing their phone of technology for Keesler to

The primary advantage of numbers. better serve its customers and

VoIP is that it merges voice “Patients will never need to allows Keesler to remain at the

communications with the base worry about having the wrong forefront of the latest techno-

data network, according to number to a clinic or to their logical advances,” he added.

pg16-17Tops.qxd 5/24/2006 3:56 PM Page 1









Medic makes musical magic with Tops in Blue

By Steve Pivnick which was used during the team’s

March performance at Keesler.

81st Medical Group Public Affairs

After revising their show, the enter-

If Senior Airman Brook Hoffman tainers hit the road again.

hoped to see the world when she “Our first show was at the Air

enlisted in the Air Force, she definite- Force Academy,” Airman Hoffman

ly has achieved her goal. commented. “We then traveled

Airman Hoffman recently returned through the Northwest up through

to Keesler after completing a year with Montana to Washington and down

Tops in Blue, the Air Force’s premier through California. We did as many

entertainment ensemble. as five days of shows at different

The 22-year-old medic, assigned to locations. Our last show on this leg

the 81st Medical Operations Squadron, was at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.”

left Keesler April 11, 2005, to begin

her Tops in Blue tour. She resumed her Back to Europe

Keesler duties last month. In late September, Tops in Blue

“We officially went on tour in was headed to Europe again.

June,” Airman Hoffman said. “We started the tour in Germany,”

“However, we spent almost two Airman Hoffman recounted. “One of

months before ‘staging’ to learn the our first performances was at the

show. We’d rehearse vocals for nine European Command ball.”

hours and choreography another nine The team was also invited to the

hours. In between we were coached home of Air Force Gen. Charles

on ‘ambassadorship’ and etiquette. Wald, EUCOM deputy commander.

Early mornings, late nights “We did a mini-performance and

had dinner with the general, his wife

“They often would wake us up at and several friends,” Airman Hoffman

2:30 in the morning to begin said. “It was a beautiful, huge house

rehearsals or work until late at night. with a lot of history.”

This was done to prepare us for the For most of October, Tops in Blue

overseas tours to help us avoid jet performed at bases in Belgium, Italy,

lag,” she explained. the United Kingdom, Iceland and

“During rehearsals, we’d be given Greenland. The team had a few days

a sheet of music so we could learn all off and spent three days in Paris and

aspects of the song,” she continued. two days in Amsterdam.

“This would allow all of us (vocalists) From late October to early

to fill in for anyone else in case some- December, Tops in Blue was stateside

one was unable to perform.” again to entertain at Air Force bases

There were 29 people in the group, along the east coast from Hanscom

both officers and enlisted members. AFB, Mass., to Hurlburt AFB, Fla.

In addition to the on-stage talent, sev- Air Force photo They took a break to return to San

eral people handled the electrical Airman Hoffman performs with the 2005 Tops in Blue tour. Antonio and Lackland AFB for selec-

components, lighting and stagehand tion of the 2006 Tops in Blue team in

duties. almost each day,” Airman Hoffman two more weeks of staging. the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest,

“There were no ‘roadies,’” she recalled. “Our flight to Uzbekistan “It was grueling,” Airman Hoffman Nov. 6-10.

noted. “Everyone set up and tore arrived late at night, but we had to remarked. “We added songs and put

down the stages.” Commitment puts life on hold

prepare for an 8 a.m. performance. together a show that Tom Edwards

High-energy entertainment When the show was over, we broke (Air Force entertainment chief and “We performed twice and had one-

down the set and went on to the next Tops in Blue’s producer) had envi- on-one conversations with contestants

Airman Hoffman described Tops in to let them know what to expect on the

Blue as a high-energy Las Vegas-type stop in another country where we per- sioned. The first part had a big-band

formed that night. ‘50s theme, including numbers by tour — that it’s a huge commitment and

show. you really have to put your life on

Before starting the formal 2005 “When we performed at Baghdad Frank Sinatra and the Platters.

International Airport, our flight had “At the halfway point, we broke hold,” Airman Hoffman pointed out.

tour in July, the group sang the Tops in Blue celebrated Thanksgiv-

National Anthem for the sixth game been delayed,” she said. “We spent down the ‘50s-themed set and set up

two hours setting up and performed more contemporary staging for ing at Charleston AFB, S.C. After their

of the National Basketball Association East Coast shows, they headed for the

championships in San Antonio, then for a huge crowd on the flight line at ‘divas’ such as Barbra Streisand and

heartland, where they put on shows at

performed at a California Army post. 11:30 p.m. What was unusual is that Donna Summer. This was followed

Grand Forks and Minot AFBs, N.D.

Then it was off to the “desert.” our C-130 had to make a combat by a patriotic setting. In the finale,

Then the group was off to Hawaii and

The first leg of the tour took them landing, without lights, but then we we all came out in our mess dress and the Pacific leg of their tour.

to the Azores, Spain, and Turkey. performed with all the stage lighting. sang patriotic songs.” “We started in Hawaii and then

“We used a simple stage for these “Also, as we were landing, there Initially, staging setups took almost flew to Korea, Japan, Diego Garcia,

performances; a very basic patriotic was a huge explosion to our left,” she 10 hours, but over the year, the team back to Japan and Guam,” Airman

backdrop,” she said. went on. “We later learned a convoy reduced the time to five hours. Hoffman continued. “We celebrated

From there, they performed in had struck a land mine and soldiers While traveling around the continen- Christmas at Kunsan (Air Base,

Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia- were killed. The next morning, we tal United States, they were usually on Korea), a Tops in Blue tradition, and

Herzegovina, Kosovo and Uzbekistan in sang an Irish tune as a casket was car- a tour bus, with 55,000 pounds of New Year’s at Misawa (AB, Japan).”

less than 30 days during July and ried to a cargo plane.” equipment carried in two semi-trailers.

August. Following the “desert” trip, the The equipment included a portable

Please see Tops, Page 17

“We’d be in a different country team flew back to San Antonio for stage for sites that lacked a stage,

pg16-17Tops.qxd 5/24/2006 3:56 PM Page 2









Photo by Steve Pivnick

Airman Basic Genna-Marie Barzey’s vital signs are taken

by Airman Hoffman at the Triangle Clinic. Airman Barzey

is a student assigned to the 334th Training Squadron.



Tops, flew down to Las Vegas.

Then when we were in North

Dakota, dad brought my

from Page 16 grandmother, brother and his

girlfriend to watch us per-

The troupe capped off the form. Dad and my grandfa-

Pacific tour in mid-January ther later drove down to see

in Alaska. us perform at Offutt (AFB,

“We performed at Clear Air Neb.) They thought it was

Station, Eielson and Elmendorf awesome — they loved it.

AFBs. We traveled to Clear by “Overall, it was very

bus and carried our equipment rewarding,” said Airman

in a small truck. The heat on Hoffman of her Tops in Blue

the bus didn’t work very well experience. “We know we

and it was freezing.” brought joy and quality

They also experienced the entertainment to the troops

Alaskan winter as they pal- and their families, as well as

letized their equipment outside members of the civilian com-

of the theater at one base. munity. We could see we

“The wind started blowing improved morale.

and the temperature must Commanders told us how

have been 40 below. But we much they appreciated our

worked through it knowing performances.

we had 28 other people all “It definitely was a learn-

working together to get the ing experience,” she com-

job done. We all uplifted mented. “Tops in Blue isn’t

each other,” Airman Hoffman for everyone. If asked, I

observed. think I’d do it again, but only

The season wound down after a year’s break. I

with shows at central and enjoyed sharing my talent

southwestern bases in the and the music.

continental United States. “Right now I’m enjoying

The group’s final perform- the structured environment

ance before returning to San back at Keesler,” she admitted.

Antonio was March 13 at Airman Hoffman plans to

Keesler. Their last four separate from the Air Force in

shows were at Lackland, February to return to school.

their home base. “I was in college before

Members of Airman entering the Air Force. After

Hoffman’s family had the working here in labor and

opportunity to see her perform. delivery, I now want to be

“When we were in South either a midwife or physi-

Dakota, we performed at cian’s assistant. I originally

Mount Rushmore,” she planned to become a physi-

recalled. “My dad came up cian, but I want to have a

from Minnesota and actually family. PAs and midwives

helped us set up. He also have more time to do that.”

pg18Asian.qxd 5/24/2006 3:57 PM Page 1









Lt. Col. Charles Dunn, left, and Col. Rodney

Croslen put their best feet forward during the

Filipino tinikling dance. Colonel Croslen is the

Carmelita Grant of Biloxi performs a Polynesian Heritage Month cultural extravaganza, May 17 81st Mission Support Group commander and

dance at Keesler’s Asian-Pacific American at the youth center. Colonel Dunn is the deputy commander.









Lydia Fanugao, 81st MDG, does the Filipino can-

dle dance, “Pandango Sa Ilaw.”

Bobby Williams of Biloxi, left, demonstrates tae- Photos by Kemberly Groue

kwondo techniques on Staff Sgt. Eugene Parrotta, Col. Dave Armstrong, 81st Medical Group

81st Medical Operations Squadron. deputy commander, samples the sushi.

pg19Medics.qxd 5/24/2006 3:57 PM Page 1







Surgeon general sings praises of medical services

Keesler medics major players in war, storms

Air Force Print News and 81st Medical Group uation system has made it possible to pressed concern for the mental health enhanced pre- and post-deployment

The Air Force’s medical Airmen are move seriously injured patients in an of deploying service members, asking interventions for our deploying and

performing “magnificently,” said the astonishingly quick time, as short as if enough was being done to prepare redeploying personnel.

Air Force surgeon general during testi- 72 hours from battleground to state- for and treat mental illnesses, such as “While Katrina delayed develop-

mony before the Senate Committee on side medical care,” he said. “(That post-traumatic stress syndrome. Gen- ment,” he added, “we have resumed

Appropriations subcommittee on de- was) unheard of even a decade ago.” eral Taylor assured them the Air Force the planning and will have several ini-

fense here recently. According to Capt. Pamala Brown- has professionals in place to care for tiatives ready to be implemented with-

“We take care of the nation’s Grayson, 81st Aerospace Medicine such cases. in the next few months.”

heroes, past and present,” said Lt. Gen. Squadron Readiness Flight, the 81st “The Air Force deployed two types “The lower incidences of mental

(Dr.) George Peach Taylor Jr., “and it MDG’s current involvement includes a of mental health teams: a rapid re- health problems for our Airmen are

takes the finest of medical staffs to critical care air transport team, consist- sponse team and an augmentation

care for this country’s finest.” most likely attributable to both the

ing of a nurse, cardiopulmonary tech- team,” he said. “Today, the Air Force type and length of Air Force missions,”

His testimony focused on the direct nician and critical care physician, has 49 mental health personnel de-

involvement of Air Force medical General Taylor testified. “However, the

deployed to Bagram Air Base, ployed for current operations, 36 of Air Force is increasingly recognizing

services, such as the 81st Medical Afghanistan. whom are supporting joint service

Group at Keesler, have had in both the that Airmen may be impacted in ways

“We have 19 medics deployed to requirements.” other than post traumatic stress disor-

ongoing war on terrorism and the

emergency response to Hurricanes Balad supporting the Air Force Theater Lt. Col. Kevin Blakley, 81st Med- der.”

Katrina and Rita in 2005. Hospital,” said Captain Brown-Gray- ical Operations Squadron Mental Health General Taylor summed up his testi-

“We continue to provide world- son. “We have 55 in Southwest Asia Flight commander, said his flight has mony by praising the men and women

class health care and health service supporting CENTAF and 27 at Kirkuk, four staff members deployed in sup- who serve in the Air Force, especially

support anywhere in the world at any- Iraq, supporting an expeditionary med- port of joint service operations. those in the medical fields.

time,” he said. ical support facility.” He said only about 1 percent of “Almost half of the people current-

He pointed out that during Katrina About 60 personnel were deployed deployed Airmen were referred for ly serving in the United States Air

and Rita, total force Airmen provided to Germany, backfilling for Landstuhl mental health care following a post- Force joined after Sept. 11, 2001,” he

health care for more than 7,600 people Regional Medical Center personnel deployment health assessment. said. “They knew what they were get-

while more than 3,000 were evacuated who were sent to Pakistan for humani- “Due to Katrina, we are a few hun- ting into, and there’s no question that

from the region. tarian support, according to the cap- dred surveys behind and are in the the military’s medical personnel are a

On the other side of the planet, tain.. All of those medics have process of catching up on those,” critical component of the global war

expeditionary medical support has returned to Keesler. Colonel Blakeley said. “Consequent- on terrorism.”

been a valuable and lifesaving asset in An X-ray technician is also de- ly, I don’t have accurate numbers

the war on terrorism. ployed to Honduras, Captain Brown- regarding those being referred for Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein, AFPN, and

“Partnering with our critical care air Grayson noted.. mental health care. However, the Steve Pivnick, 81st MDG Public Affairs,

transport teams, our aeromedical evac- Many on the subcommittee ex- mental health staff has been planning contributed to this report.

PG20.qxd 5/24/2006 3:58 PM Page 1









Bone marrow donor gets

good report about recipient

By Susan Griggs

Keesler News staff Donors

Sometimes what seems to be

the end of a story is actually a in demand

new beginning.

Feb. 28, Cindy Milford Since the creation of the

donated bone marrow at the National Marrow Donor

University of Maryland’s Program in 1986, more

Greenebaum Cancer Center to than nine million

help a 62-year-old leukemia Americans, including

patient. more than 350,000 service

May 17, she got the word members, have registered

–— the marrow recipient is as potential marrow

on the road to recovery. donors.

“My contact with the

Department of Defense’s Keesler’s April 6 bone

bone marrow donor program marrow donor registration

reported that my recipient is event, held in conjunction

recovering well,” said Mrs. with a base-wide blood

Milford, graphics illustrator “It’s a small drive, added 149 potential

for the 81st Services Division. donors to the national reg-

“The stem cells did engraft, so thing to do, istry, according to Staff

his body did accept them,

which is great. He’s out of the with the Sgt. Samantha Moore, 81st

Communications Squad-

hospital, too.”

Although Mrs. Milford was

incredible ron, who coordinated the

drive.

well prepared for the donor

process, she had some emo-

outcome Donors are screened by

tional surprises along the way. of potentially an oral swab or a small

“I cried so hard when I blood sample.

completed the donation,” she adding a chapter The C.W. Bill Young

recalled. “I had finally made Department of Defense

it to the end — or so I or two to bone marrow program pro-

thought. But I cried tears of

joy when I learned that the

someone’s life.” vides support for military

personnel who volunteer

donation had actually worked. — Mrs. Milford

I guess I was more emotional- as marrow donors.

ly invested than I had real- The program’s Web site

ized.” symptoms for about 10 days. indicates an urgent need

Rather than drawing mar- It took me very little time to for minority donors, but

row from the pelvic bones, recuperate completely.” anyone in good health

Mrs. Milford donated by the Mrs. Milford said she and between the ages of 18

peripheral blood stem cell the recipient remain anony- and 60 can be added to the

collection process. She mous for a year. After that, registry.

received injections of a they can exchange names and For more information,

growth hormone called fil- addresses and can meet if visit http://www.dodmarrow.

grastim which boosted circu- they choose to do so.

lating stem cell production .com.

“Everyone involved in the

500 percent. donation process was helpful,

Her marrow was retrieved professional, understanding,

by apheresis, a process in caring and supportive — they

which blood is removed from

one arm and passed through a

made the process easy,” she

added.

Cyberspace

machine that filters out the

“I hope by sharing this

stem cells, while the remain-

ing blood is returned through experience, more people are isn't a

the other arm. encouraged to get on the bone



secure

“I experienced a little dis- marrow registry,” Mrs. Mil-

comfort during the week of ford continued. “In retro-

shots and the actual donation, spect, it’s a small thing to do,

environment.

but that was expected and the with the incredible outcome

symptoms were never severe of potentially adding a chap-

or debilitating,” she explained. ter or two to someone’s life.”

“Afterwards, I had flu-like That’s big!”

pg21.qxd 5/24/2006 3:59 PM Page 1







KEESLER NOTES

Hurricane guides Comptroller closes Compressed work sched- For more information, call Brass Team members sup-

ule weeks — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 377-4454. plement the rotational honor

A limited number of copies The 81st Comptroller Squa- Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m. to For Katrina-related ques- guard and perform details

of the Keesler News’ 2006 dron closes 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 3 p.m. Thursday. tions, call the Internal Revenue throughout the Mississippi and

hurricane guide are available today for an official function. For more information, call Service, 1-866-562-5227. Louisiana Gulf Coast.

in the base newspaper office. For emergencies, call 365- Tech. Sgt. Troy Taillac, 377- Members re-ceive a ceremo-

To reserve copies, call 377- 8922. 6281.

Gate hours nial uniform, free dry cleaning

4130, 3837, 3163, 7340 or 9966. The Meadows Drive Gate is for ceremonial dress and honor

Pick copies up 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Self-help store moves Yard program open 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. work- guard battle dress uniform, and

work days in Room 113, Taylor The self-help store has relo- The yard of the month pro- days. the opportunity to honor fellow

Logistics Center, L Street. cated temporarily to Dock 4 on gram sponsored by the hous- The Judge Sekul Avenue Airmen and their families.

the east side of the Taylor ing office kicks off in June. Gate is open 3:30-5:30 p.m. For more information, call 377-

Housing survey Logistics Center, Building For more information, call work days for outbound traffic. 1986 or visit https://www.mil.

Surveys are being mailed to 4002, while hurricane repairs Lisa Kallio, 377-7202. Both gates are closed week- keesler.af.mil/honor/index.htm.

housing area residents. and upgrades are made. ends, federal holidays and com-

For residents’ convenience, Repairs began in mid-May Tax office pressed work schedule Fridays.

Military rental moves

pre-addressed, stamped enve- and are expected to take six to The Keesler Tax Office, The White Avenue and Pass Force One Rental has

lope addressed to CEL and eight weeks. Room 234, old Cody Hall, Road gates operate 24 hours a moved to 211 Larcher Blvd.,

Associates is enclosed with remains open through Sept. 15 day, seven days a week. Building 4818.

the survey. New hours because of filing extensions Services include truck and

Housing officials ask that New hours for the customer due to Hurricane Katrina. Honor guard trailer rentals, package ship-

completed surveys be returned service section of the 81st Extensions apply to federal The Keesler Honor Guard ping and name tag engraving.

within two weeks of receipt. Mission Support Squadron: and state tax returns. has openings for officers and Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call Five-day weeks — 8 a.m. Office hours are 8 a.m. to senior non-commissioned offi- weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon

Brent Long, 377-0668. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. noon and 1-4 p.m. work days. cers to serve on the Brass Team. Saturdays.

pg22.qxd 5/24/2006 4:00 PM Page 1









SPORTS AND RECREATION

Civil engineers take 2006 fire muster challenge









fire









Brad Ledford, left, and Mike

Photos by Kemberly Groue Fuller, 81st CES, dump water

from one bucket to another during

Ryan Robinson, left, and Richard Miller, 334th Training and then shut off their water valve as quickly as possible.

the bucket brigade event. The

Squadron, fire water at a target during the Keesler fire The competition was won by the 81st Civil Engineer object of the event was to get ping

muster, May 17 at the marina. Each team had to knock out Squadron as they were able to do each of the events in the pong balls out of the bucket using

a specific number of targets, in order, with one hose stream shortest amount of time, 5 minutes and 8 seconds. only water.









Curtis Gilliam, left,

and Mark Willi-

ams, 81st Supply

Squadron, try to

get on a flame-

retardant fire suit Matthew Hopkins, 334th Training Squadron, rolls up a fire

during the fire mus- hose during competition. For this event, each team had to

ter competition. competely roll up a fire hose.

pg23.qxd 5/24/2006 4:01 PM Page 1









Just right ...









Photo by Kemberly Groue

Charles Ingram, 81st Civil Engineer Squadron, checks the chlorine level at the main

pool May 18. The main pool on Meadows Drive and the Triangle pool open Satur-

day. The main pool is open noon to 5 p.m. daily except Mondays and the Triangle

pool is open noon to 7 p.m. daily except Wednesdays. Water aerobics classes are

1:15-2:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the main pool.





S CORES AND MORE

Bowling lesson for $25 and receive a second half-hour lesson

free. For an appointment, call 377-3832 or 348-7589.

Gaude Lanes — closes 4 p.m. Friday through Aug. 1

to accomplish post-Katrina restoration projects. Motorcycle

Fitness centers KRA rally — Keesler Riders Association meets at

3:15 p.m. June 6 at The Joys of Coffee outside the Pass

Memorial Day 5-kilometer fun run/walk — 3 p.m. Road Gate.

Friday, marina park. The meeting is to make preparations for a rally begin-

May fitness challenge — pick up activities list at ning 11 a.m. June 29 in marina park. The KRA organiza-

Blake or Dragon fitness centers. tion provides camaraderie and group rides while teaching

Air Force fitness tests — official or unofficial, and mentoring inexperienced cyclists.

administered by certified Air Force physical training For more information, call Lynda Richmond, 377-

leader. For more information, call 377-2907. 0749.

Blake Fitness Center — open 4:30 a.m. to 10:30

p.m. Mondays through working Fridays; 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Outdoor recreation

non-working Fridays; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays,

Sundays and holidays. Fishing trip to oil rigs — Saturdays. $100 per person.

Dragon Fitness Center — open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For reservations, call 377-3160.

workdays. Bicycle rental — new 3500 Trek, 7-speed, $3 a day

Free aerobic and yoga classes — for more informa- or $15 a week.

tion, call 377-2907. For sale — hunting and fishing licenses, snacks and

Triangle Fitness Center — closed until further beverages.

notice.

Youth center

Golf Three-on-three soccer registration — through May,

Bay Breeze Golf Course — open 7 a.m. to dusk ages 5-12. For more information, call 377-4116.

daily. Free for walkers only. Driving range opens at 7 Classes — gymnastics, taekwondo and dance. For

a.m. daily for free use. Retrieve your own balls due to more information, call 377-4116.

loss of ball picker. Open recreation — Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,

Two-for-one golf lessons — schedule a half-hour ages 6 and older.

pg24-25.qxd 5/24/2006 3:31 PM Page 1









D IGEST

HONORS James Little, Leo Morales, Russell Moss and Donald Singleton;

Tech. Sgts. Benjamin Hulsey, Brian Rowley and Ryan Wentz;

Master Sgt. Rosalie Cuellar. SHUTTLE SCHEDULE

Student honor roll Weather training flight — Airman Basic Joshua Lee;

332nd Training Squadron

Airmen Jaime DeWitt, Houston Green and Shawn Morris;

Airmen 1st Class Sean Ayres, Ustem Nu and Brandon Wallis;

6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays

Electronic principles — Airmen Basic Christopher Navy Airmen Phillip Brody, Jared Thorton and Anthony Valence; Minutes after hour Bus stop

Balltzglier, Joshua Baurd, Travis Cagney, Corey Clines, Aaron Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Karen Aquino. :00 :30 332nd TRS, Building 6955

Collins, Ryan Davis, James Dobson, Joshua English, John :01 :31 338th TRS, Building 6965

Ferrier, Carl Flint, Michael Gaydos, Jason Kovtun, Neil Kozak, 336th TRS :02 :32 Welch Auditorium

Jonathan Kucyj, Zachary Madren, Alfred Masiello, Craig Communications-computer systems training flight — :05 :35 AAFES Furniture Store

McGuire, Ronald Mink, Ford Moore, Justin Moore, David Airmen Basic Joshua Miller, Jared VanOrman, Jason Pedicord, :08 :38 Jones/Bryan/Hewes Hall

Morris, Matthew Nelson, Bryan Newton, Don Nguyen, Mario Neal Phoeteama and Benjamin Symanowicz; Airman Lance :10 :40 Thomson Hall

Orellana, Christopher Ortiz, Jose Pena, Michael Peyton, Rocky Weston; Airmen 1st Class David Aiken, Andrew Burton, Daniel :11 :41 New Cody Hall

Phelps, Christopher Primmer, Patrick Ridlon, Stephen Russell, Routier, Mark Withers and Brandon Zahn; Senior Airmen Gene :13 :43 Supply, civil engineering

Mark Schermann, Benjamin Smith, Daniel Smith, Jeremy Pabst, Christopher Petro and Amber Stanley; Staff Sgts. Robert :14 :44 Shoppette

Underwood, Daniel VanEaton, Jon Volden, Brent Wallace, Ricky Beauparland, Mark Heikell, David Morgan, Lucio Reza and :16 :46 Shaw House

Willard and Eric Wilt; Airmen Patrick Butler, Thomas Campbell, Jeffrey Wills; Tech. Sgts. Rodney Thompson and William :17 :47 Muse Manor

Nathaniel Elman, Brandy Ford, Joseph Richard, Benjamin Wilcox; Tracy Mangino.

:19 :49 McBride Library

Schaffer and Aaron Thomas; Airmen 1st Class Jason Bishop, Communications and information management training

Jason Collison, Mark Connatser, Andrew Cooper, David Crosby, flight — Airmen Basic Jackie Chapman, Negus Collis, Shonte :21 :51 Medical center, Tyer House

Michael Depew, Justin Gross, Jason Hultgen, Justin Kolb, Cotton, James Hinson, Rodney Johnson, Sharon Lee, Whitney :22 :52 Sablich Center

Andrew Lavoy, Shane Miller, Daniel Mottishaw, James Pearce, Solano and Anwiya Youkhanna; Airman Aaron Gould; Airman :23 :53 Dental clinic

Kevin Robinson, Eric Sarno, James Spevack, Elliott Stokes, 1st Class Lavoria Hicks; Staff Sgts. Tierra Cope, Roger Corpuz, :24 :54 Allee and Wolfe Halls

Ryan Underwood, Jesse Wagner, Craig Wellmerling, Daniel Brent Myles, Sonya Rogers, Christopher Tussing and Desirae :25 :55 Base operations

White, John Wilcox and Kou Xiong; Senior Airmen Ashly Wiseman; Tech. Sgt. Eleanor Weaver; Master Sgt. Angela :27 :57 Hangar 4

Barber, Garron Dahle, Paul Dykstra, Carlton Fike, Kale Hall, Johnson.

Christopher Manley and Dion Rives; Staff Sgts. Lyza Technical training route

Beaidreailt, Michael Cassidy, Nelson Copeland, Jorge Familia, 338th TRS 5:10-5:37 a.m. weekdays

William Gonzalez, Andy Guerra, Marie Hays, John Lewis, Computer, network, cryptographic systems course —

Richard Loudbear, Hugo Murillo, Timothy Pastore, Jose Peraza, Airmen Basic Shawn Cotter, Benjamin Ortiz and William Minutes after hour Bus stop

Donald Pittman, Vu Pham, Lionel Suber, Thomas Thompson and Simmons; Airmen Michael Brifnek and Troy Wagner; Airmen 1st :10 Building 5025

Jonathan Willist; Tech. Sgt. William Beddard and Michael Class Andrew Amiri, Brandon Cousins, Andrew Debordeleben :12 Building 5022

Pafford; Master Sgts. Monte Cook and Richard Weber; Maj. and David Hubbard. :14 Shaw House

Ghazi Al Sawabken; Lt. Col. Tawfik Khattab. Ground radio — Airmen Basic James Fleming and Lee :16 Muse Manor

334th TRS Striebich; Airmen Cody Frey and Brandon Robinson; Airmen 1st :18 Tyer House

Class Jose Charlesworth, Daniel Ferriss, John Gaines, William :20 TLQ east side 2000 block

Air traffic control operations training flight — Airmen Huber, Christopher Lynch, Robert McClister and Trent Wilson; :21 TLQ east side of Locker House

Basic Thomas Comstock, John Henry, Sarah Kramarius, George Staff Sgt. Keith Tyska; Master Sgt. James Schlehuber.

:25 332nd TRS

Madrid, Kristin Ormsbee and Michael Sims; Airmen 1st Class Radar systems flight — Airmen 1st Class Brian Housholder.

Christopher Fujishin and Audra Justice; Senior Airman :28 Welch Auditorium

Emmanuel Lwando; Staff Sgts. Jeremy Crowe, Barry George, :33 Thomson/Dolan/Cody Halls

Scott Hupp and Jonathon Reid. CLASSES :34

:36

McClellan Hall

Allee/Wolfe Halls

335th TRS

Personnel apprentice course — Airmen Basic Stanley

Airman Leadership School :37 Stennis Hall/Weather



Bouadi, Sara Hurley, Ethan Minery, and Christopher Packer; Class 06-D — graduation June 15. Prior-service students lodged off-base

Senior Airman Jason Marrazzo; Staff Sgts. Jeanne Garretson, Class 06-E — July 12-Aug. 12.

Call 377-2432 for transportation needs. Traffic in the

Class 06-F —Aug. 24-Sept. 29.

local area impacts base taxi times.

Keesler NCO Academy

CHAPEL SERVICES Class 06-4 — graduates June 1.

Editor’s note: Duty passengers have priority over

“space available” riders. Schedule may be impacted by

Class 06-5 — June 12-July 20. increased official operations or severe weather. Those

Editor’s note: Time and location changes effective

Sunday. Class 06-6 — Aug. 7- Sept. 14. who are physically challenged, have excess baggage,

Class 06-7 — Sept. 18-Oct. 26. medical appointments at off-base hospitals or clinics or

Roman Catholic Class 07-1 — Nov. 2-Dec. 14. unable to ride the base shuttle, call 377-2432 for the base

taxi. For more information, call 377-2430. Until further

Sunday Mass

Triangle Chapel ...........................................................9 a.m.

Arts and crafts center notice, weekend shuttle service isn’t available. Taxi

Daily Mass Mold pouring — 10 a.m. Saturday. $25 including first firing. service is available on an “as needed” basis.

Triangle Chapel.....................................................11:15 a.m. Ages 13 and older welcome.

Macrame — Learn this old craft that’s been made new again.

Protestant

Sunday worship

For more information, call 377-2821.

Beginning intarsia woodworking — 5 p.m. Friday. $15. Intar-

COAST AREA TRANSIT

Larcher Chapel traditional service......................8:30 a.m. sia is art form of inlaying pieces of wood in decorative pattern. Keesler Express — runs between the Triangle and

Fishbowl student contemporary service.................10 a.m. Advanced intarsia — 10 a.m. Saturday. New project each Edgewater Mall. Bus service begins from the base, 5:50-8:30

Triangle Chapel contemporary worship service...10:30 a.m. month. p.m. work days, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. down Fridays and

Triangle Chapel gospel service.....................................Noon Beginners woodworking — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday. $25. Saturdays, and 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays.

Earn safety certification and operator's card. The route is limited to specific pickup and dropoff points:

Islamic Frame shop — 10 percent off framing of graduation certifi- Minutes after hour, bus stop

Building 2003 — for international students, temporary cates. Now open Saturdays. :30 Hercules Street bus stop

duty and permanent party; prayer five times daily; Salaat ul- Youth summer craft camp — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tues-

:32 Welch Auditorium

Jummah congregational prayer, noon Friday. days through Thursdays for 8 weeks beginning June 6. Ages 8

and older. For more information, call 377-2821. :45 Pass Road Wal-Mart

For more information, call 377-2520 or 0327. :54 Arrive Edgewater Mall

Latter-Day Saints McBride Library :00 Depart Edgewater Mall

:09 Pass Road Wal-Mart

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — Orientations — 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays for commanders, first

sergeants and instructors. :22 Welch Auditorium

student group service, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Triangle Chapel. :24 Hercules Street bus stop

Family home evenings, 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Fishbowl Student Storytime — 10 a.m. Wednesdays, ages 2-5.

Orientations/tours — for more information, call 377-2181. The regular adult fare is $1. An unlimited one-day pass

Center. For more information, call 396-5274 or 1-661-747- is $5 and one-month pass is $45.

4738.

Please see Digest, Page 25 For more information, call 896-8080.

pg24-25.qxd 5/24/2006 3:31 PM Page 2









Digest, tary personnel and veterans — http://www.dol.gov/dol/vets.

Department of Veterans Affairs — http://www.

vba.va.gov/efif/index.htm; for members returning from Operations DINING HALL MENUS

from Page 24 Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Southern Region Military and Civilian Job Fair — Today

http://www. mesc.state.ms.us/jobfair. Lunch — roast pork loin, cornbread, jaegerschnitzel

CLUBS AND CENTERS New military spouse career center — http://www.military

.com/spouse. Extensive job board including jobs from public and

veal, glazed cornish hen, potato halves, orange rice, gravy,

carrots, pinto beans, corn combo, fruit salad, potato salad,

private sectors. For more information, call Vince Patton, 703- cream of broccoli soup, chicken and wild rice soup, chili,

Vandenberg Community Center 269-0154, or e-mail at vince@militaryadvantage.com. cannonball sandwich and Italian pepper beef sandwich.

X-Box tournament — 9 a.m. Saturday and June 10; free. Military Connection — online resources database for mili- Dinner — herbed baked chicken, cornbread, stuffed cab-

For more information, call 377-4355. tary family members seeking civilian employment at http://www. bage rolls, fried catfish, blackeyed peas with rice, mashed

Eight-ball pool tournament — 6-9:30 p.m. Mondays. military connection.com potatoes, gravy, baked sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables,

Nine-ball pool tournament — 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. America’s Job Bank — http://www.ajb.dni.us. peas, fruit salad, potato salad, cream of broccoli soup,

Game night — 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Board games, ping pong chicken and wild rice soup, chili, cannonball sandwich and

tournament and more.

Karaoke — 6 p.m. Thursdays.

Late night dance and DJ — 6 p.m. to midnight Thursdays

TICKETS AND TOURS Italian pepper beef sandwich.

Friday

before nonworking Fridays, Fridays and Saturdays. $3. Editor’s note: Located inside Vandenberg Community Lunch — lasagna, spaghetti with meat sauce, Italian

Half Time Café — open for lunch and dinner. Buffet spe- Center. sausage, garlic toast, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli polon-

cials 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Wednesdays, Italian, $5.95; working Fri- Discounted tickets — for many attractions, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. aise, cauliflower, Italian baked beans, corn O’Brien, pasta

days, catfish, $6.50. Tuesdays-Thursdays. For more information, call 377-3818. salad, three-bean salad, clam chowder, garden vegetable soup,

frontier chicken chili, barbecue port sandwiches and burritos.

Youth center

Annual membership — $25 for ages 6 and older. Receive VOLUNTEERS Dinner — Mexican baked chicken, Swiss steak, stuffed

peppers, macaroni and cheese, rice, gravy, corn on the cob,

beans, peas and carrots, pasta salad, three-bean salad, clam

discounted prices for programs, classes and sports. Biloxi National Cemetery — needs assistance placing flags

Classes — Mondays, gymnastics; Mondays and Wednesdays, chowder, garden vegetable soup, frontier chicken chili, barbe-

on graves, 9 a.m. Saturday, in preparation for Memorial Day. cue pork sandwiches and burritos.

tae kwon do; Tuesdays, dance. For more information, call 377-4116.

Self-directed activities — 3-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays,

ages 9-18.

Summer camp registration — through May for school-age

MEETINGS Saturday

Lunch — fish almondine, stir-fry chicken with broccoli,

program, cheerleading, basketball, theater and teen camp. For Editor’s note: To list time, place and contact for organiza- pork chops, rissole potatoes, rice pilaf, gravy, calico corn,

more information, call 377-4116. tion meetings, call 377-3837 or e-mail KN@keesler.af.mil. club spinach, fried okra, fruit medley, kidney bean salad,

Instructors needed — for programs including those for ages African-American Heritage Committee — 3:30 p.m. second bean soup, chicken gumbo, chili and buffalo wings.

3-5 and special classes. For more information, call 377-4116. Tuesday of the month, Room 109, Taylor Logistics Building. For Dinner — crispy baked chicken, cajun meatloaf, ribeye

Classes — Mondays, gymnastics; Mondays and Wednesdays, more information, call Paulette Powell, 377-2270, or Kurt Higgins, steak, baked and mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli, French

tae kwon do; Tuesday, dance. For more information, call 377-4116. 377-1390. peas, glazed carrots, fruit medley, kidney bean salad, bean

Self-directed activities — 3-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, Air Force Sergeants Association — 11:30 a.m. third Tuesday of soup, chicken gumbo, chili and buffalo wings.

ages 9-18.

Movies and snacks — 5 p.m. Mondays, ages 9 and older.

the month, Vandenberg Community Center. For more information, Sunday

Pediatrics playgroup — 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, ages 2-5. call Master Sgt. Scott Sippel, 377-2337. Lunch — ginger barbecue chicken, fried shrimp,

Smart girls — 5 p.m. Tuesdays, ages 9-16; girls-only topics. Air Force Sergeants Association Auxiliary — 6 p.m. third spinach lasagna, orange rice, mashed potatoes, gravy,

Training responsible adolescents in leadership/Keystone Thursday of the month, youth center, J Street. For more informa- black-eyed peas, lima beans, corn O’Brien, tomato salad,

Club — 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, ages 13-17. tion, call Desarae Chereskin, 341-0988. jellied spring salad, vegetable beef soup, Italian wedding

Game room tournaments — 5 p.m. Wednesdays. At Eze Toastmasters Club — noon Tuesdays, Building 1101 soup, frontier chicken chili and cheese pizza.

Torch Club — 5 p.m. Thursdays, ages 9-12. conference room. For more information, call Chief Master Sgt. Dinner — tuna and noodles, sauerbraten, chicken

FitFactor fitness club — 5 p.m. Fridays, ages 9-18. Don Seaton, 377-5958, or Fred Blache, 377-1048, or visit http:// breast filet parmesan, au gratin potatoes, rice, gravy, cauli-

Friday dances — 6:30-10 p.m., ages 9-15. www.toastmasters.org. flower combo, peas, fried cabbage, tomato salad, jellied

Super Saturdays — 2-5 p.m., ages 6-12; 6-10 p.m., ages 13- Keesler Christian Home Educators Association — 7-9 p.m. spring salad, vegetable beef soup, Italian wedding soup,

18. Games, sports and crafts. second Tuesday of each month, September-May, Larcher Chapel. frontier chicken chili and cheese pizza.

Read by mail program — 4:30 p.m. Friday. Open to all military home educators. For more information, call

Instructors needed — for programs including those for ages Monday

Michelle Durkin, 872-9393, or e-mail chelle1rn@yahoo.com.

3-5 and special classes. For more information, call 377-4116. Keesler Spouses Club — meets the second Tuesday of each Memorial Day cookout — barbecue ribs and chicken,

Three-on-three soccer registration — through May, ages 5-12. grilled sirloin strip steaks, coleslaw, baked potatoes, baked

month. For time and location, call Tammie Searfass, president, 273-

beans, corn, pastries, fruit and canned drinks.

4324, or visit http://www.geocities.com/ keeslersc/KSC.html.

TRANSITIONS Native American Heritage Committee — for more informa-

tion, call R.I. Whiteside, 863-0479, or Capt. Elizabeth Taillon,

Dinner — baked chicken, Swiss steak, baked Italian

sausage, peppers and onions, mashed potatoes, rice, gravy,

broccoli polonaise, carrots, cornbread, cottage cheese

Workshops, briefings 377-6242. salad, macaroni salad, chicken dumpling soup, chili, can-

Veterans benefits briefing — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 15, July Retired Enlisted Association Magnolia Chapter 81 — 6:30 nonball sandwich and chicken nuggets.

13, Aug. 17, Sept. 14, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14, Room 122, p.m. second Thursday of each month, Vandenberg Community

old Cody Hall. To pre-register, call Ron Bublik, 377-8592 or e- Center. For more information, call Larry McKean, president, Tuesday

mail ronald.bublik@keesler.af.mil. 377-3252 or 374-5922. Lunch — paprika beef, barbecue beef cubes, chicken

Transition assistance program workshop — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rising VI Association — 3 p.m. third Wednesday of the fajitas, garlic toast, O’Brien potatoes, rice, gravy, cauli-

June 12-14, July 10-12, Aug. 14-16, Sept. 11-13, Oct. 16-18, Nov. month, Keesler NCO Academy auditorium. For more informa- flower, corn on the cob, lima beans, waldorf salad, spinach

13-15 and Dec. 11-13, Room 122, old Cody Hall. To pre-register, tion, call Staff Sgt. Shanda Yarborough, 377-3653, or Tech. Sgt. salad, white chicken chili, seven-bean with ham soup, steak

call Ron Bublik, 377-8592, or e-mail ronald.bub lik@keesler.af.mil. Kevin Benjaman, 377-7924. and cheese subs and tacos.

Computer use Dinner — onion lemon baked fish, pork schnitzel steak,

Government computers — commanders may authorize their

use for preparation of personal resumes by people separating or

MISCELLANEOUS beef and spaghetti, garlic toast, baked and mashed potatoes,

gravy, pinto beans, spinach, stewed tomatoes, spinach salad,

waldorf salad, white chicken chili, seven-bean with ham soup,

retiring from the service on an “as available” basis as long as use Editor’s note: Movies are shown at Welch Auditorium. Tick-

chicken noodle soup and steak and cheese subs.

doesn’t adversely affect the mission. ets are $3 for adults and $1.50 for children for regular features,

Transition employment opportunities public folder — go and $2.50 for adults and $1 for children for matinees. For a Wednesday

to e-mail “public folders” and click on “transition employment recorded message about current features, call 377-6627. Lunch — fried chicken, cajun baked fish, jalapeno corn-

opportunities” for job opportunities for active duty and family bread, barbecue ribs, rice, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn on the

members. For more information, call 377-8592 or 8593. Friday — 7 p.m., Phat Girlz (PG-13).

cob, okra and tomato gumbo, fried cabbage, cole slaw, garden

Saturday — 2 p.m., Ice Age 2: The Meltdown (PG); 7 p.m.,

Web sites cottage cheese salad, pasta fagioli soup, chicken tortilla soup,

Benchwarmers (PG-13).

Defense Manpower Data Center — http://www.dmdc. vegetarian chili, cheese fishwich and cheese pizza.

Sunday — 2 p.m., Take the Lead (PG-13). Dinner — Caribbean jerk chicken, beef porcupines,

osd.mil/dors or http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/tbb.

Air Force Blue to Corporate Gray — http://www.blue Reunions jalapeno cornbread, chicken enchiladas, scalloped potatoes,

togray.com. rice, gravy, Mexican corn, peas, baked beans, coleslaw,

Air Force Federal Employment Resume and Information Torrejon Air Base, Spain — Sept. 1-3, Oklahoma City, for all cottage cheese salad, pasta fagioli soup, chicken tortilla

— http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/resweb. years. For more information, call William Hardin, 1-405-672- soup, vegetarian chili, cheese fishwich and cheese pizza.

Civilian job certification and licensing requirements for mili- 8939, or e-mail torrejonspainreunion@yahoo.com.

pgsA1A8.qxd 5/24/2006 3:38 PM Page 2









‘Tis that season, Keesler

Katrina’s

message:

Be ready

By Perry Jenifer

Keesler News editor

Camille? Ha!

Folks on the Mississippi

Gulf Coast who survived that

1969 hurricane thought they’d

seen nature’s full fury.

Not even close.

Hurricane Katrina relegat-

ed Camille to a distant second

place among storms that have

made landfall on the Missis-

sippi Gulf Coast.

Katrina barreled ashore

Aug. 29, spreading death and

destruction from New Orleans

to Mobile. Sustained winds Photo by Stanley Morgan

exceeded 130 mph, driving a Hurricane Katrina’s rising storm surge rolls through a parking lot, flooding vehicles and buffeting Dolan Hall.

storm surge of up to 35 feet

into communities across the than 1,000 family housing packed 105-mph winds — there was Camille, the mother the coast. “When one of

Mississippi coast. units were damaged beyond gusting to 125 mph — 9.51 of all storms to hit the Missis- these storms hits, there’s no

Keesler received a double repair. inches of rain and a surge of sippi Gulf Coast until Katri- escaping that.

blow. The first came from Basewide, Katrina ham- water from the Back Bay of na; in 1979, it was Frederic, “While regretable, one

the south as Katrina came mered Keesler to the tune of Biloxi that flooded Bay and in 1985, Elena. Katrina death and only three injuries

ashore from the Gulf of nearly $1 billion in recovery Breeze Golf Course. The extended that unenviable is an outstanding record when

Mexico. The second struck costs. damage: $26 million. string to five decades. compared to some neighbor-

from the north as the hurri- For the first time anyone In the immediate aftermath None of storms of the ing communities. The reason

cane moved inland, whipping could remember, the base also of Georges, some facilities 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s was a our record is so good is clear

the Back Bay of Biloxi into a recorded a hurricane-related were unable to operate, fami- glancing blow that knocked

frenzy that inundated — we were prepared.

fatality. William Gibson, an lies were forced out of base you off balance temporarily,

Bayview Avenue and every- “Keesler has a plan and it’s

81st Services Division civil- housing and three civil engi- then passed on ... out of sight

thing for blocks inland. ian employee, died of compli- neers were injured, one seri- and out of mind. They were a good one. It has served

The base exchange and cations from exposure to ously. head-on, death and destruc- served the base and our peo-

commissary were under wa- flood waters. It took more than three tion-dealing collisions. ple well, not only in Camille,

ter. The medical center base- Katrina brought to a devas- years to complete all the nec- “Katrina and others have but in Frederic, Elena,

ment was flooded, knocking tating close a period of rela- essary repairs. shaken Keesler over the Georges and Katrina.

out all power to the facility tive calm for the coast dating Georges marked the fourth years, yes,’’ said Brig. Gen. “Become familiar with our

and forcing the evacuation of to Georges, Sept. 28, 1998. consecutive decade in which Paul Capasso, 81st Training hurricane plan, and if the

patients to military medical Georges was Keesler’s first Keesler felt the wrath of a Wing commander, of the re- need arises, use it,” the gen-

facilities elsewhere. More hurricane in 13 years. He major hurricane. In 1969, cent history of hurricanes on eral said. “You can’t go wrong.’’

pgsA2A7.qxd 5/24/2006 4:04 PM Page 1







Storm

How to use hurricane tracking map coordinates

Advisories are numbered con- given by latitude (i.e., 13.2 de- storm advisory, note the advisory

secutively for each storm, de- grees north) and longitude (i.e., number, eye position, intensity

scribing its present and forecast 57.8 degrees west), to the nearest and forecast direction of move-

position and intensity. Advisories one-tenth of one degree. When ment. Then mark the eye posi-

are issued at six-hour intervals: the storm moves within range of

tion on the tracking map. Be-

11 p.m., 5 and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. the radar fence, its eye position

Central Daylight Time. Each mes- may also be given in statute miles cause hurricanes change

sage gives the name, intensity and and compass direction from a direction quickly, concentrate

forecast movement of the storm. specific point. more on where the storm will go

Hurricane eye positions are When you receive a tropical than on where it has been.









Map courtesy of Gulf Publishing Co.

pgsA3A6.qxd 5/24/2006 3:40 PM Page 1









Keesler’s hurricane plan — how it works

A Category 2 (sustained winds of at least 96 miles After a “hurricane watch” is issued by the Nation- There are five levels of preparation for hurricanes:

per hour) or stronger hurricane has struck Keesler in al Weather Service, the crisis action team convenes HURCON 5 (also referred to as Hurricane/Trop-

each of the last five decades — Camille (1969), Fred- in the command post. From there, bulletins are dis- ical Storm Advisory and Preparation, or TSA). Re-

eric (1979), Elena (1985), Georges (1998), Ivan tributed to units across the base declaring specific view, update and execute checklists.

(2004) and Katrina (2005). hurricane conditions and directing actions to be tak- HURCON 4 — 72 hours prior to the forecast ar-

en at each HURCON level. rival of winds of at least 50 knots (58 mph).

Perhaps the single greatest contributing factor to

Hurricane advisories, updates and other related in- HURCON 3 — 48 hours prior to the forecast ar-

the base’s record of one death and three inuries from formation are available only through advisories and rival of winds of at least 50 knots.

all those storms is its five-step hurricane preparation bulletins issued from the crisis action team. HURCON 2 — 24 hours prior to the forecast ar-

plan. HURCON, an acronym for hurricane condi- The National Weather Service issues a “hurricane rival of winds of at least 50 knots.

tions, is the name given to the base plan. June 1, the watch” at HURCON 4 or 3 and a “hurricane warn- HURCON 1 — 12 hours prior to forecast arrival

base goes into HURCON 5, the first level of the plan. ing” at HURCON 2 or 1. of winds of at least 50 knots.





Preparation Sheltering Recovery

Complete and return to your unit disaster preparedness of- Misssion-essential per- After a hurricane passes, Keesler people who evacuated

ficer or noncommissioned officer Keesler Form 21, Shelter sonnel and students shelter contact their units for instructions. If communication with

Intention. Update the form frequently throughout the hurri- the base isn’t possible, call the Air Force Personnel Center, 1-

on base. All iothers are en-

cane season. The form is available on the Keesler home 800-435-9941.

couraged to evacuate. Those who shelter on base:

page.

Families are advised to develop disaster plans. For an ex- Only one entrance to Remain in shelter until officials say you may leave.

ample, go to http://www.fema.gov/rrr/displan.shtm. each shelter is open. Military report to duty sections. Control centers delegate

At HURCON 5, as of June 1, crisis action team imple- People on basic allow- recovery operations to all units.

ments TSA and directs commanders and/or first sergeants to ance for subsistence pro- Don’t enter damaged buildings.

review TSA checklists and take appropriate actions. vide their own food. Al- Don’t check for gas leaks with matches.

At HURCON 4, listen to latest weather bulletins and fol- though those on meal cards Don’t turn utilities on until they’ve been checked.

low instructions from unit commanders. receive meals-ready-to-eat, Don’t eat or drink anything without first checking it for

Off-base and base housing residents should: they should bring extra food. damage or contamination.

Brief family members on their responsibilities. Review Take non-perishable food, Assess and record all damage.

actions to take if sheltering is necessary. Report building damage to 81st Civil Engineer Squadron

Keep radio and television on for information on status of baby supplies, clothes and

prescription medicine for if you’re in base housing, or to your insurance company if

the storm.

three days. Take flashlights you live off-base.

Check supply of food that can be eaten without cooking.

Stock flashlights, extra batteries, camp lantern, transistor with extra batteries, first aid Report damaged personal property to your insurance

radio, special prescribed medicines and food, baby food, first kit, as much water as you company.

aid kit, insecticides, water purification tablets, fire extin- can carry, books, maga- Make plans for temporary lodging until repairs are made.

guisher, tool kit and hardware, boards for windows and plas- Stay away from stray animals.

zines, games, cards, blan-

tic bags to cover any broken windows. Emergency phone numbers — fire department, 911;

kets or sleeping bags, pil- chaplain, 377-2111 (after hours, 377-4330); command post,

Tie down mobile homes and disconnect propane tanks. lows, manual can opener

Secure objects in open areas. 377-4330; medical center, 377-6555 or 6556; security forces,

Fill car tanks with gasoline. and portable radio with bat- 377-3040.

Store small boats in enclosed shelters or tie them down. teries. Take base and coast Civil Defense phone numbers — Hancock County, 467-

At HURCON 3, dorm residents should: maps, as familiar land- 9226. Harrison County, 865-4002 (Gulfport), 384-7800

Store personal items in lockers and drawers. marks may be gone and fa- (Biloxi), 452-2448 (Pass Christian), 863-7292 (Long Beach),

Move furniture to walls opposite windows. miliar roads closed when Jackson County: 769-3101 or 3111 (Pascagoula), 475-7887

Unplug electrical equipment and turn off lights. you leave shelters or return (Moss Point), 875-0114 (Ocean Springs).

Close all doors. from evacuation. Take im- Coast radio stations — stay tuned for information and in-

Secure equipment, motorcycles, trash cans, signs, etc. portant documents and cash. structions on Keesler’s recovery, medical care and emer-

Stand by for briefings by unit commanders. Alcohol, electrical appli- gency assistance for housing, clothing, food, etc.:

Plan to brace doors securely. AM stations — 570, WVMI, Biloxi; 1130, WQFX, Biloxi-

Stack furniture and rugs. ances, weapons, pets and

smoking aren’t allowed in Gulfport; 1190, WBSL, Bay St. Louis; 1240, WGCM, Gulf-

Have flashlights within easy reach. port, 1390, WROA, Gulfport-Biloxi; 1490, WXBD, Biloxi;

Stay away from windows. shelters.

To shelter pets off-base, 1580, WZZJ, Pascagoula.

Keep in contact with duty section or squadron.

Minimize phone calls to base. call the Humane Society of FM stations — 90.3, PRM, Biloxi; 92.5, WXOR, Ocean

Pay particular attention to bulletins and advisories issued Springs-Biloxi-Gulfport; 93.7, WMJY, Biloxi; 94.5, WJZD,

South Mississippi, 863-4394,

by base officials, and to radio and television for information Gulfport; 96.7, WUJM, Gulfport; 97.9, WCPR, Gulfport;

Extension 101. For infor- 99.1, WKNN, Pascagoula-Biloxi-Gulfport; 102.3, WGCM,

and instructions. mation on sheltering cats

At HURCON 2, make final preparations — fill jugs, bot- Gulfport; 103.1, WOSM, Ocean Springs; 105.9, WXRG,

and dogs on base, visit Pascagoula-Biloxi-Gulfport; 107.1, WXYK, Gulfport-Biloxi;

tles, etc., with drinking water. Put important personal papers

or valuables in waterproof strong boxes. Everyone except http://wwwmil.keesler.af. 107.9, WZKX, Gulfport-Biloxi.

mission-essential personnel and students is encouraged to mil/81trw/xpo/pets.htm. Family assistance center — in the aftermath of a hurri-

evacuate. Shelter pets with three-day cane, information on programs and services for Keesler peo-

At HURCON 1, mission-essential personnel and students supply of water, food and ple may be consolidated in a one-stop family assistance cen-

report to their designated shelters. medicine. ter.

pgsA4A5.qxd 5/24/2006 3:42 PM Page 1









Now’s time to review personal insurance

The time to act is now. Insurance companies

won’t write policies if your property is in an area un-

der a hurricane threat.

To guarantee complete coverage, inventory house-

hold goods. Photograph expensive, hard-to-replace

items and antiques. Have receipts and appraisals for

expensive items. Keep this in a lock box or take it

along when you evacuate or shelter.

Water damage is usually covered only if wind re-

moves part of the roof or debris breaks windows, let-

ting water into the house. Damage caused by flood-

ing or rising water is covered for base housing

residents.

Flood, structural, wind damage

Off-base, flood insurance is available through the

National Flood Insurance program. Rates vary de-

pending upon where you live, and the type and date

of construction of your house. People who live off-

base should also view their policies for structural and

wind damage coverage.

Off-base residents can also obtain insurance to

cover debris removal, which applies only to roofing

material or other debris, not trees or bushes.

Temporary repairs coverage reimburses the policy

owner for necessary and reasonable repairs made to

‘Disaster stress’

prevent further storm damage. Living expense insur-

ance provides motel, food and transportation if

you’re forced from your home.

— what it is, how to cope with it

Consider replacement cost insurance, too. For A hurricane in the Gulf of

your house, make certain the amount of insurance is

adequate to pay the cost of building a new house.

Mexico is on a collision course Children, pets feel stress, too

with the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

You may submit claims for personal property lost, A scenario for stress? You Children and even pets are also vulnerable to stress.

destroyed or damaged on base. However, you must bet. For children, it’s important to take along favorite toys, blan-

contact your insurance company first. The govern- “Disaster stress,” as mental kets or something else they really love when the family evacu-

ment makes up the difference between your insur- health experts call it, may mani- ates or shelters. Familiar objects ease the stress of sudden moves

ance and the depreciated value of the property, up to fest itself in a variety of ways and strange places.

the maximum allowable for that particular category. — before and after the disaster Parents’ state of mind and ability to handle difficult situations

Military and civilians who live off base can’t sub- occurs: are also important to children. Work on yourself first, then reas-

mit damage claims to the government. Base housing Physical — fatigue, tension, sure your children. Prepare them for losses and let them know

occupants can receive up to $100,000 in claims pay- that’s part of life.

nausea.

ments. However, to ensure adequate coverage for re- As you start over, assure your children it’s OK to grieve at the

Emotional — anxiety, anger, same time you’re getting on with life.

placement costs, base housing occupants are wise to helplessness, depression.

invest in extra personal property or special coverage Disaster can be as traumatic for pets as for people. They’re

Mental — forgetfulness, eas- going to need comfort and reassurance when the disaster has

insurance. For about $25 a month, you can buy ily distracted, intrusive

$30,000 worth of contents and liability coverage. passed. Walk pets on leashes until they become reoriented.

thoughts, nightmares.

Comprehensive car insurance is also worth look- Behavioral — increased

ing into. Most claims for damage processed by the drinking, irritability, restless- taking carefully. Avoid over- is tough, experienced, active.

base legal office after Hurricane Elena in 1985 were ness, trouble sleeping. indulgence. A victim is passive, helpless.

for automobiles hit by wind-blown roofing materials. Social — dropping out of Understand you’ll experi- Use these strategies to help

usual activities, and after the ence stress, but also believe it yourself: positive self talk, a

Boats, campers, mobile homes becomes less intense over time. new perspective on a negative

disaster hits, avoiding the site.

Only active-duty people can make claims against These are the faces of disas- Try for some non-work ex- experience, thought stopping,

the government for such damage. The maximum ter stress. Here are some ways ercise about three times a week, humor, divide the big problem

payable for uninsured damage or loss to a vehicle on to deal with them: like a brisk walk. into small problems and plan

base is $3,000. In most cases, glass and paint dam- Ask for social and emotional Eat nutritious food and how to deal with each one.

age alone are going to be above that figure. support from loved ones. avoid excessive caffeine, alco- Be patient. Recovery from

People who store boats at the base marina sign a Give social support to others. hol, tobacco and sugar. disaster stress takes time. If

document waiving the base’s responsibility for any Don’t abandon your usual Talk to someone you trust you feel you’re not healing, ask

losses. Boats and campers in base storage areas are social networks, i.e., church about your personal feelings. for professional help.

covered up to $2,500 each. neighborhood groups, co-work- Survivors often learn to talk to For more information or as-

The government pays mobile home owners who ers. and listen to each other, which sistance in dealing with disaster

live in the base trailer park fair market value or the Become part of a disaster helps. stress, call the 81st Medical

cost of repairs, whichever is less. survivor group. Think of yourself as a sur- Group’s life skills enhancement

For more information, call the legal office, 377- Control drinking and pill- vivor, not a victim. A survivor center, 377-6216.

3510, or the claims office, 377-3630.

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Map by Gulf Publishing Company

As this map shows, although the Bay St. Louis and Biloxi-Ocean Springs ing in out-of-state coastal cities; travel inland to the north. They suggest

bridges are out, several roads lead from the coastal counties — Hancock, the longer people wait to evacuate, the farther they’ll have to travel to

Harrison and Jackson — toward shelter. Officials advise against shelter- find accommodations. The yellow areas are Louisiana, left, and Alabama.







Evacuating? Here are routes to safe harbors

Evacuation routes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast s Mississippi 15 — heads north from the intersec-

lead from the three coastal counties –– Hancock, tion of I-10 and I-110. Meets Mississippi 26, which

Harrison and Jackson –– toward shelter. runs east and west. Going east, Mississippi 26 cross-

Make hotel reservations before an evacuation To reach Keesler’s Emergency Intranet es Mississippi 57, which intersects U.S. 98 north to

ordered is issued. Be prepared to travel from 150 from your government computer, Hattiesburg, and runs on into Lucedale. There,

miles to the evacuation order mileage limit north and Mississippi 63 and 613 connect and continue north.

away from the storm track. On arrival, call your unit go to https://wwwmil.keesler.af.mil, U.S. 98 could also be taken north. Mississippi 26

control center, emergency management representa-

tive, the Keesler Accountability Team (phone num-

click on the image to enter, west goes to Wiggins and such northbound routes as

U.S. 49, Mississippi 29, and still farther west, I-59.

ber to be determined) or the Air Force Personnel then click on KENET

Center, 1-800-435-9941.

(on the left side of the page). Jackson County

At Keesler, mission-essential personnel and stu-

Mississippi 57 — runs north from U.S. Highway

dents shelter on base. All others are encouraged to

evacuate. An evacuation order may be issued as 90 about halfway between Ocean Springs and

early as HURCON 3 or as late as HURCON 1, Gautier. Crosses Mississippi 26 and intersects U.S.

depending on the specific hurricane threat. Interstate 10 — could be taken west to I-59 north 98, which goes north to Hattiesburg.

Evacuation routes: at Slidell, La., or to I-12 west to Baton Rouge, La. Mississippi 63 — runs north from Moss Point to

Officials advise against going to New Orleans to ride Lucedale in George County. Four lanes all the way

Hancock County out a storm because that city is below sea level and to U.S. 98 in Lucedale.

Mississippi 607 — goes through the NASA pre- highly susceptible to flooding. Interstate 10 — runs out of the county to the east

serve and could be taken to Interstate 59. toward Mobile. Disaster preparedness officials

Mississippi 43 — begins in Waveland and from

Harrison County advise against seeking shelter in Mobile and other

which Mississippi 603 branches north of Kiln. U.S. 49 — major evacuation route to the north. coastal cities. However, highways in Alabama going

Mississippi 603, which links up with Mississippi 53, Mississippi 67 — meets U.S. 49 at Saucier. Can north toward Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and

could also be taken to I-59. help evacuees avoid traffic congestion on southern Birmingham, such as I-65, can be reached by going

end of U.S. 49. to the outskirts of Mobile.

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Storm names Coming to terms

The National Weather Ser-

vice near Miami gives names

to tropical disturbances with

rotating winds of more than 39

with language

mph.

Giving women’s names to

tropical storms was a common

practice in the late 1800s.

of hurricanes

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones in which winds reach con-

When the National Weather stant speeds of 74 miles per hour or more and blow in a large

Service began naming these spiral around a relatively calm center called the eye.

storms in 1953, it continued A band of high-velocity winds extends outward 20 or 30

the tradition of using female miles from the rim of the eye, and winds may gust to more

names. than 200 miles per hour as they approach it.

Beginning in 1978 (for Pa- Hurricane winds do their share of harm, but they cause the

cific storms) and 1979 (for At- greatest damage when dumping water on the areas over which

they move. As storms move across the coastline, they create

lantic storms), male and fe-

huge waves and storm tides which may reach 25 feet or more

male names were alternated above normal. As winds diminish, the torrential rainfall nor-

by the National Weather Ser- Categories of storms mally accompanying the hurricane strikes. Drownings are the

vice. most common fatalities associated with hurricanes.

Six lists of names are rotat- Category 1 — wind speed 74-95 mph. Damage pri- The following terms are associated with hurricane activity:

ed every six years. marily to shrubbery, trees, foliage, and unanchored mobile

homes. Storm surge of 4-5 feet above normal. Tropical cyclone: The general term for all rotating storms

Noteworthy storms have Category 2 — wind speed 96-110 mph. Considerable originating over tropical waters.

their names retired from the damage to shrubbery and trees, some trees down, glass Tropical disturbance: A moving area of thunderstorms in

list. These 39 names have been broken by flying debris, major damage to exposed mobile the tropics that maintains its identity for 24 hours or more.

retired: Agnes, Alicia, Allen, homes, roof damage to structures. Storm surge of 6-8 feet Tropical depression: Rotary circulation at surface, highest

Andrew, Anita, Audrey, Betsy, above normal. constant wind speed 38 miles per hour (33 knots).

Beulah, Bob, Camille, Carla, Category 3 — wind speed 111-130 mph. Large trees

blown down, most signs destroyed, major roof damage, Tropical storm: Distinct rotary circulation, constant wind

Carmen, Carol, Celia, Charley, speed ratings from 39 to 73 miles per hour (34 to 63 knots).

window and door damage, some structural damage to

Cleo, Connie, David, Diane, homes, many mobile homes destroyed. Storm surge of 9- Gale warnings: Issued when winds of 39 to 54 miles an

Donna, Dora, Elena, Eloise, 12 feet above normal. hour (34 to 47 knots) are expected.

Flora, Frances, Frederic, Gil- Category 4 — wind speed 131-155 mph. Many trees Storm warnings: Issued when winds of 55 to 73 miles an

bert, Gloria, Gracie, Hazel, blown down, all signs damaged or destroyed, extensive hour (48 to 63 knots) are expected. If a hurricane is expected

Hilda, Hugo, Ione, Ivan, Janet, window and door damage, complete destruction of many to strike a coastal area, gale or storm warnings will not usual-

Jeanne, Joan, Katrina and mobile homes. Storm surge of 13-18 feet above normal. ly precede hurricane warnings.

Mitch. Category 5 — wind speed greater than 155 mph. Very Hurricane watch: Issued for a coastal area when there is

severe and extensive window and door damage. Complete a threat of hurricane conditions within 24 to 36 hours.

These are the names for failure of roof structure on most residences, small struc-

tropical storms in the Atlantic tures overturned or destroyed, and complete destruction of Hurricane warning: Issued when hurricane conditions are

in 2006: mobile homes. Storm surge of 18 or more feet above nor- expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. Hurri-

mal. cane conditions include winds of 74 miles an hour (64 knots)

Alberto or more and dangerously high tides and waves. Actions for

Beryl protection of life and property should begin immediately

Chris Wind speed conversion chart when the warning is issued.

Debby Flash flood watch: A flash flood is possible in the area.

Ernesto Mph Knots Stay alert.

5.................................................................................4.3 Flash flood warning: A flash flood is imminent. Take im-

Florence 20.............................................................................17.4 mediate action.

Gordon 25.............................................................................21.7 Tornados: Sometimes spawned by hurricanes, these vio-

Helene 30.............................................................................26.1 lently rotating columns of air may produce severe damage and

Isaac 35.............................................................................30.4 casualties. The typical path of a tornado is 50 feet wide and a

40.............................................................................34.7 few miles long, but some have cut a path much larger. If a tor-

Joyce 45.............................................................................39.1 nado is reported in your area, a warning will be issued.

Kirk 50.............................................................................43.2 Waterspout: A tornado over water.

Leslie 55.............................................................................47.8

60.............................................................................52.1 Typhoon: The name given to hurricanes that develop west

Michael 65.............................................................................56.4 of the international dateline.

Nadine 70.............................................................................60.8 When a tropical disturbance gets into high gear, with rotary

Oscar 75.............................................................................65.1 motion and wind speeds of more than 39 miles per hour, it’s

80.............................................................................69.5 considered a tropical storm and receives a name. If wind

Patty speeds reach 74 miles per hour or more, it’s called a hurri-

90.............................................................................78.0

Rafael 100...........................................................................86.0 cane, but keeps the same name.

Sandy 120.........................................................................104.0

This supplement was prepared by Perry Jenifer, Keesler News editor.

Tony 140.........................................................................122.0 Contributors: 81st Civil Engineer Squadron, 81st Medical Group, legal

Valerie 160.........................................................................139.0 and disaster preparedness offices, family support center, Gulf Publishing

Co., Harrison County Civil Defense, American Forces Press Service and

William National Weather Service.

pgsA1A8.qxd 5/24/2006 3:38 PM Page 1









Crisis checklist — don’t face storms without it

A checklist can help people collect items to keep Cash, change and credit cards.

on hand to meet their immediate needs in emer-

gency situations — such as hurricanes.

Online resources Pocket-size survival manual.

Portable radio with extra batteries.

This sample checklist can be especially helpful in http://www.redcross.org Personal hygiene supplies — toilet paper, femi-

making preparations to evacuate out of the path of http://www.iprepare.com nine supplies, soap, tissues, paper towels, moist

an approaching hurricane. http://www.ready.gov wipes, brush, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor

http://www.areyouprepared.com and shampoo.

http://www.preparedness.com Health supplies — multivitamins, energy bars,

http://www.fema.gov dried fruit, nuts, jerky, trail mix, water and bleach.

http://www/nhc.noaa.gov Safety supplies — candle lantern, whistle, water-

Food proof matches, lighter, large piece of aluminum foil

http://www.keesler.af.mil

Dried and canned products, such as fruit, vegeta- for cooking if necessary, string, compass, clothes-

http://www.mdot.state.ms.us pins and pocket knife.

bles, milk, juice, bouillon and soup.

Grains, nuts, jerky, snacks, trail mix and granola Miscellaneous supplies — pen or pencil, paper,

and high-energy bars. Supplies for babies and the elderly. extra batteries, glasses, scissors, sunglasses, deck of

Condiments, herbs and spices. Extra medications and prescription glasses. cards, needle and thread, book, metal cooking pot.

Instant coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

Manual can opener.

Paper plates, cups, napkins and paper towels.

Fondue pots fueled by candles or Sterno fuel can

be used indoors; propane and fuel stoves or grills Water

Home

can only be used outdoors. Store one gallon per person per day — two

quarts for drinking and two quarts for cooking and Sanitation items such as a portable toilet or 5-

cleaning. gallon trash can with lid and plastic liners, odorless

Use clean, sterilized plastic soda bottles or water sanitation liquid or tablets and toilet paper.

containers. Date and store in cool, dark place; ro- Eating and cooking utensils and containers.

tate often. Needle, thread and safety pins.

Safety Emergency indoor water sources include ice Forty-gallon garbage can with lid and plastic lin-

Flashlights. cubes, reservoir tank of toilet and hot water heater ers.

Two radios — solar or wind-up and battery pow- (with gas or electricity off, open drain at bottom of Cash and credit card.

ered. tank, turn off water intake valve and turn on a hot Entertainment items, such as books, toys,

Extra batteries. water faucet. Refill tank before turning gas or elec- games, crayons, paper, compact disks and deck of

Fire extinguisher. tricity back on.) cards.

Hand tools. To disinfect water, add two or three drops of Change of clothing and shoes.

Plastic sheeting, duct tape and towels to seal air household bleach per gallon. Shake well and let it Extra set of car and house keys.

gaps. set for 30 minutes before using. Documents in fireproof safe or airtight plastic

Blankets. container, such as birth and marriage certificates,

Survival manual passports, insurance policies, deeds, recent tax re-

Area map with highlighted evacuation routes. turns, Social Security cards, driver’s license, bank

Waterproof matches and lighter. accounts, credit card information, stocks, bonds, im-

Candles. Car munization records and other family information.

Battery-operated lanterns.

Gas tank should be at least 3/4 full. Place five-

gallon can of gas in trunk.

Road maps.

Flashlights and batteries.

First aid kit. Pets

Health Cell phone or walkie-talkies.

Flares. To shelter at home, store low-protein food to re-

First aid kit. duce stool volume, water, bowls, puppy training

Family or pet medications. Jumper cables.

Blanket. pads, garbage bags for refuse, bed, blanket, familiar

Vitamins and minerals. toys and crate.

Feminine hygiene supplies. Compact tent.

Light jacket or rain gear, clothing, socks, shoes In case of evacuation, obtain a pet carrier or

Waterless hand cleaner, pre-moistened tow- crate, and collect identification and vaccination

elettes, towels, washcloths and soap. and hat.

Freezer bags, quart and gallon size. records, registration papers, food, water, medica-

Household chlorine bleach. tions, muzzle and leash.