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Preparing for nature's worst storms

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jette Carr
  • 27 Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  It started with a warning - a thunderstorm was expected to arrive at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. It would bring large hail and had the potential to develop tornadoes, said the 27th Special Operations Support Squadron weather flight. The base was put on alert, which paid off when a tornado struck near the 522nd Special Operations Squadron. It tore through a hangar, causing damage to the water and electrical systems, and injured five people, one fatally.

This was the scene during a simulated tornado exercise, May 10, to test base personnel readiness during a natural disaster. This exercise highlighted what further training needs to happen at Cannon to ensure safety and continuation of the mission during any incident.

"The biggest thing is the training before the exercise," said Senior Master Sgt. William Seaman, 27th Special Operations Wing inspector general. "You can do all the preparation - have all the people and tools in place, but if you haven't been trained to use these resources, it isn't going to do you much good."

Weather flight determines if conditions are right for severe weather or if a tornado is possible. Based on this information, they will send out a watch or warning notification.

"A severe thunderstorm watch or a tornado watch is issued when weather conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms or a tornado to develop," said James Kratzer, 27 SOSS weather flight deputy commander. "These statements are issued ahead of time to allow the 27 SOW to take preparatory actions in case severe storms form."

A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when conditions become probable for the development this storm, said Kratzer. The weather flight will issue a tornado warning when a tornado is detected by Doppler Weather Radar or is actually spotted by a credible and trained storm spotter, law enforcement or Air Traffic Control.

Based on the predicted level of severity, the Airmen will go through their checklists specific to each event. They will have a list of tasks to complete that are pertinent to each squadron. Some items may include a building sweep and a walk around outside, this way if something does happen they will be able to notice changes. A visual sweep of the area can also show an individual other items that must be completed, such as bringing loose items inside or notifying workers on the flightline.

As soon as a "tornado watch" notification goes out, all aircraft on the flightline are secured.

"We have a lot of aircraft and only so much hangar space," said Seaman. "Ideally, we want them in a hangar. Those that can't get put in a hangar are chained down on the flightline or they are flown to another base if we can generate the crews and the commander directs that approach."

If a tornado is imminent, a three-to-five minute steady tone will sound to warn people they need to seek shelter immediately. A tornado shelter should already be designated in each building - it is important that all personnel know where that is and have a plan in place. Do not go outside again until the "all-clear" sounds.

Once the "all-clear" sounds and people are able to leave shelter, Self Aid Buddy Care might be necessary. Staff Sgt. Chad Turner, 522 SOS instruments flight controls, was put in the position to give aid to the five simulated victims of the tornado. Many exercises will use inject cards to state the medical needs of the simulated victims, but the 27 SOW uses bloody makeup and dummy props done by the 27th Special Operations Medical Group.

"This was the best simulation I've ever done because it was more realistic with the makeup and being able to see the injuries instead of being given an inject card," said Turner. "It's good practice."
The saying goes "practice makes perfect". These exercises are a learning experience, to make sure everyone is ready if disaster hits.

"Be prepared," said Seaman. "Treat each exercise as though it was real, because it may be someday. Each person needs to be alert with a sense of urgency, help out where they can and listen to directions. The number one asset is training. If you don't know what to do, it's going to be hard."

Click here for a full slideshow of tornado exercise images.

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