U.S.A.F Tyndall Air Force Base took a direct hit from Hurricane Michael. Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida, took a direct hit from Hurricane Michael. The base has sustained extensive damage, said in an official statement.
Tyndall Air Force Base sustained “catastrophic’’ damage as Hurricane Michael struck the Florida installation head on, destroying buildings and potentially leaving the post vacant for weeks, Air Force officials said Thursday.
The Category 4 storm, the strongest to ever hit the Florida Panhandle, tore roofing from aircraft hangars and mangled buildings at Tyndall, located just outside Panama City, Fla., according to Air Force officials who reported “widespread catastrophic damage” primarily from winds that exceeded 150 mph.
“Team Tyndall, our base took a beating … by now you already know that Tyndall Air Force Base requires extensive cleanup and repairs,” Col. Brian Laidlaw, the 325th Fighter Wing’s commander, said in a message posted Thursday evening to the installation’s Facebook page. “I will not recall you and your families until we can guarantee your safety. At this time I can’t tell you how long that will take, but I’m on it. I know this is important to you.”
An aerial assessment revealed that “all base houses sustained significant roof and siding damage. Some houses sustained more significant structural failures” and some dorms were severely damaged,”
In addition, we still don’t know how many F-22s, if any, were damaged after Hurricane Michael slammed directly into Tyndall AFB in Florida. It is possible that the USAF could suddenly have to deal with a number of additional Raptors that have been structurally damaged in some way.
According to Tyler Rogowaytwitter account, at least two F-22 might Suffered damage in the hurricane
So one F-22 airframe has been spotted in a roofless hangar at Tyndall. Check out the upper left portion of this photo. No idea if this is flying airframe or a ground trainer or what, but it doesn't look good. More on Tyndall AFB's sad state here: https://t.co/JikiO65eny pic.twitter.com/GlvQ6hnJP7
— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) October 12, 2018
Here’s another Raptor that did not escape Michael. Likely one of quite a few. https://t.co/urNbPZGN7u
— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) October 12, 2018
The Ride Out Element will conduct initial damage assessments when it is safe to do so. Michael was a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall, with catastrophic wind speeds. There have been no injuries reported on Tyndall at this time.
Teams will work diligently to recover the base in the coming weeks. The storm brought down trees and power lines. It removed roofs from buildings and caused significant structural damage.
The conditions of the runway is unknown at this time.
The base commander ordered a mandatory evacuation of base personnel Monday, Oct. 8. This evacuation order remains in effect until further notice. Evacuated personnel should make plans for an extended time away from the base. Base officials do not have an estimate at this time for when it will be safe to return.
Tyndall houses F-22 Raptors, T-38 Talons, QF-16s/F-16 Fighting Falcons converted into unmanned aircraft.
F-35A Joint Strike Fighters were also moved from Eglin Air Force Base, the Pensacola News Journal reported, and ABC News reported the expensive planes were sent to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
