4000+ Air Force Students ordered to stay on base in Biloxi

[Psychonaut777]

My family and I have been trying for days to get this situation remedied. It is to late now but I want to let you know.

My brother and 4000+ Air Force students have been ordered to remain on base at Keesler in Biloxi. That is in the middle of the Mississippi coastline 14 feet above sea level and 4 blocks from the coast. Please pray for them.

Thank you.

[gkrangers]

Hope they are ok.

Wonder if the WC-130s got the heck out..

[PurdueWx80]

I sure as hell hope they have bunkers there to hide in...not sure it'll matter w/ a surge ~ or greater than 14 ft.

[Guest]

I have a cousin inlaw that's going to Met school there, so I guess that includes him as well. I wish I could remember the name of the Housing he was in. All I can remember is a bunch of two story apartments of of Veterans Aveanue or something like that. Across some railroad tracks so yea that would be four blocks, we may be talking about the same place.

[Matthew5]

[mf_dolphin]

I went to electronics school at Keesler AFB. Whoever the idiot that left those guys there should be shot. They have the GOM to the south and the back bay to their north. Not where I'd want to be in a CAT 4.

[cabonitc]

My inlaws live down the block from the west gates of the base, about 3 blocks from the beach on Rodenburg Ave. They are staying to ride this one out. They stayed for camille too, so this is normal behavior for them. I will update Keesler info as I get it (at least until their phones go down).

[Guest]

I'm thinking about calling my cousin to see what's going on..She is married to him and they both stay there together. They have two kids one boy 3 years and a girl 9 months. I'm starting to worry since I heard this news.

I'm going to call and find out what the deal is.

[senorpepr]

I've spent my share of time there at Keesler for several schools. Everyone is sheltered in the school houses (which are pretty good shelters) on the north side of the base. They been through a few hurricanes over the past few decades.

As for the base itself, it's actually located at 43 ft above sea-level, although the base is 4 blocks from the water.

(As a side-note, keep the weather observer there at Keesler in your prayers. He's/She's still taking obs.)

[Psychonaut777]

Just talked to my bro -

He's guestimating 30+ sustained winds outside right now. They are bunkered on the 3rd floor but he says it doesn't seem like its made of concrete or anything.

He's just eating food and watching movies on his laptop and reading the bible.

I can't believe these guys are still there. I emailed atleast 80 senators, the president, VP, sec defense, sec air force, every media outlet imaginable. My father actually spoke with the governor of Miss. and Senator Trent Lott.

I'm going crazy right now watching this thing and they keep saying it wil hit Mobile! Yeah righ!!!

[Guest]

^^^ lets keep each other up to date about this.

[senorpepr]

another note: this is common for them to keep everyone there at Keesler. They do it to keep tabs on everyone and to keep them safe rather than letting them venture out on their own.

[Air Force Met]

I went to electronics school at Keesler AFB. Whoever the idiot that left those guys there should be shot. They have the GOM to the south and the back bay to their north. Not where I'd want to be in a CAT 4.

I agree...that is a DUMB move. Matter of fact...that is a career ending move...i think.

[Guest]

"another note: this is common for them to keep everyone there at Keesler. They do it to keep tabs on everyone and to keep them safe rather than letting them venture out on their own."

What? Doesn't sound like they are keeping them safe by making them stay to me.

[yzerfan]

Hurlburt Field has the same sort of topography. Everyone had to be off that base by 23:59 last night.

[Psychonaut777]

^ agreed. This IS standard proceedure according to General Lord's Office. However, the magnitude of this storm and its trajectory means that these kids are in potentially life threatening danger. If any of them are seriously injured or killed I will have General Lord's job as well as Senator Lott's. They have been warned REPEATEDLY and I have contacted all media outlets about it. My aunt has connections to the media and is writing a story at the moment also.

Thanks for you support and lets keep the updates coming!

[windwatcher]

That was interesting to see they are doing that. I would presume that they know what happened to Homestead Airforce Base after Hurricane Andrew???? I have some family in the Military in LA, I am going to see what they have to say.

[mf_dolphin]

Keeping them there for a CAT 1 I could understand but not a CAT 4. That's just insanity.....

[Guest]

mf_dolphin I agree!

[Psychonaut777]

It is airforce policy to stay. My brother just called me not 10 minutes ago. They are all there - at least the students are. The rest are gone.

Navy, Marines, Army, National Guard, etc. have all evacuated the region. My brother and several thousand untrained and unprepared Air Force students in tech school are about to get hit dead on with a 4/5 storm. This is crazy.