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Commander issues limited evacuation order, recovery ops progressing

  • Published
  • By 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Col. Ty Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing Commander  issued a limited evacuation order Feb 2 at 3 p.m., allowing non-mission essential personnel and their dependents to depart the immediate area to locations within 250 miles of the base in order to find temporary lodging until base facilities are restored to normal. The evacuation order permits limited reimbursement of expenses associated with this movement.

Most family members in Altus'designated shelter locations, evacuated once the order was given. Mission essential services and meals are still being provided to base personnel and their dependents who choose remain in the area. The dining facility will remain open, but will scale back from 24-hour operations.

Early Feb. 3, power was returned to base housing, which houses 52 percent of the personnel assigned to Altus AFB. However, the main portion of the base still remains without power, and estimates on when power will return remains undetermined. Within the city of Altus, power has been restored to approximately 60 percent of customers. Additional facilities off base are expected to have power as the week progresses.

Seven members of Team Altus were injured when the ice storm swept through the area Jan. 29., and the 97th Medical Group has provided medial care for 12 individuals.

The base child development center will resume operations temporarily at the youth center Feb. 4. Child care service will be available only to emergency essential personnel engaged in recovery efforts.

Altus AFB is receiving assistance with recovery operations from Lackland, Sheppard and Dyess Air Force Bases, Texas, and Vance AFB, Okla., with personnel and equipment to include diesel generators, bucket lifts and line trucks.

Fifteen Airmen are assisting with the recovery effort, which has been nicknamed Operation Ice Station Zebra.

Altus AFB is working closely with the city of Altus and, Jackson County Emergency Management officials on recovery efforts. The base has provided heaters, diesel fuel and electricians to support local recovery efforts.

Base personnel continue to repair infrastructure in anticipation of the return of commercial power and are taking actions to protect essential facilities against forecast adverse weather until power is restored.