Keesler Continues to Shelter Published Oct. 17, 2006 KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AETCNS) -- The base has survived a direct hit by Katrina, a Category 4 hurricane, however, initial assessment shows extensive damage to the industrial and housing areas. Brig Gen William Lord, the 81st Training Wing Commander has determined that the damage is severe enough that Keesler personnel who sheltered on base will remain in the shelters until Thursday at the earliest in order to assure the recovery teams have cleared debris and made it safe for personnel and their families return home. "The safety, health, and well being of our Keesler family is our priority, said Lord. "We promise to keep them apprised of the progress of our recovery teams and will release them to go home and assess their own damage as soon as it is safe for them to travel. "We are deploying assessment crews and are in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and with commanders of many military bases who have offered assistance," said Lord. "We are doing everything within our power to clear the way and provide the best immediate and long term assistance to help each one of us in order to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I want everyone to know we are not alone and will do everything we can to keep people safe and get them home as soon as possible. Please be patient. We all need to pull together and help each other make it through this difficult time safely." All inbound students, personnel moving to Keesler, and those who evacuated are directed not to report here and must contact their assigned unit's control center at Keesler to find out when to return to base. The phone numbers are posted on the Keesler public website: http://www.keesler.af.mil/Hurricane If you are unable to contact your assigned unit continue calling if the line is busy or call the Air Force Personnel Center at 1-800-435-9941 for further instructions on reporting to Keesler. The Keesler website will also have the information posted as soon as it becomes available http://www.keesler.af.mil.