Gila Bend microburst proves expensive, not deadly

  • Published
  • By Teresa Walker
  • 56th Range Management Office
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A microburst with wind gusts up to 100 mph hit Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field Sunday night, snapping power lines and ripping trees out of the ground by their roots. 

There are no reports of any injuries, but buildings were literally shifted from their foundations, countless vehicle windows were broken and decades-old cacti lay toppled and broken on the ground. "Sunday around six, it came in two waves," said David Mendez, Gila Bend Auxiliary Field chief quality assurance evaluator. "I initially there was a dust storm and wind and that's when most of the damage was done, I think. I got the call and as I headed to the base, I ran into a wall of rain and couldn't see 10 feet in front of me. I had to pull over for about 20 minutes." 

A 56th Civil Engineer Squadron team arrived on scene to assess the damage. According to Chief Master Sgt. Kerry Taylor, 56th CES enlisted manager chief, the assessment response teams are preassembled with skill sets already identified. 

"We knew from past experience what and who to bring," Chief Taylor said. "We knew the number one priority was the runway. Fortunately, our explosive ordnance disposal guys were already down there and they helped us with the assessment." 

They brought a sweeper for the runway. They also brought dump trucks, front-end loaders, electrical tubes and generators. As Monday morning arrived, the lights were on and the airfield was back in business for diverts and emergencies. 

"We had two Airmen with us, and this was the first time they had responded to a situation like this," Sergeant Taylor said. "I was very proud of Senior Airman Justin Tayamen and Airman 1st Class Brian Thorne, 56th CES electrical power production. They hooked up a generator and got the fuel pumps working very quickly. They did a superb job." 

Mr. Mendez said it was sheer luck that there were only a few people on base Sunday night. 

"Call it luck, but there were fewer than 20 people on base because it was a Sunday night and nobody was flying," he said. "There are some security and fire department folks that are on duty 24 hours." 

As he surveyed the damage he commented on the destruction. 

"I'm not sure the photos even show the true picture of the devastation," Mr. Mendez said. "There were trees and power poles lying across the street and a warehouse was completely destroyed." 

Currently, the base has no commercial power and is operating solely on generator power. Some buildings don't have air conditioning and the transformer poles won't arrive until the weekend. APS has six poles that are down on base as well with no real indication as to when those will be repaired. 

According to Sergeant Taylor, the coordination of relief efforts was notable. 

"Without the RMO contractors, we couldn't have gotten as much done, he said. "They knew their equipment, they knew what needed to be done and they got it done. It was the combined efforts of CES and the RMO personnel - especially with clean up." 

The 56th Fighter Wing Contracting officials have since been to the auxiliary field with vendors to get quotes on repairs. Initial estimates for repairs are $4.5 million.