Tyndall Air Force Base recovering after Hurricane Michael, officials say

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Officials say a Florida Air Force base heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael is well on the road to recovery.

Col. Brian Laidlaw told local chamber of commerce members that Tyndall Air Force Base has now been open for a month since the powerful storm struck the Panhandle in October.

RELATED

Air Force announces return of many airmen and missions to Tyndall — but questions remain on fate of F-22s

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said that all but about 500 evacuated airmen will return to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida or the surrounding area in the next few months as the base continues recovering from Hurricane Michael.

By Stephen Losey

The Panama City News Herald reported Saturday that much remains to be done in rebuilding damaged or destroyed structures. But most units at Tyndall are fully operational, including First Air Force headquarters, the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, the 823rd Red Horse engineering squadron and the 337th Air Control Squadron.

Laidlaw says there are 48 separate repair projects under way affecting 144 different base facilities. To date, he added, officials have issued $175 million in contracts for the work.

RELATED

Air Force wants to house three F-35 squadrons at rebuilt Tyndall, move Raptors permanently

The change in plans, if approved, would mean operational F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron would not return to Tyndall.

By Stephen Losey

In Other News

Military Times Special Report: The Iraq War, 20 years later

The 2003 invasion of Iraq continues to resonate in the lives of troops today; a special report on the 20th anniversary of that momentous event.

‘John Wick: Chapter 4′ dazzles with spectacular chaos, destruction

"John Wick: Chapter 4" hits theaters March 24.

Which college majors are student veterans pursuing and why?

Many of the veterans who pursue a four-year degree are choosing majors similar to non-veteran students.

Republican budget plan will ‘undermine’ US security, warns Biden admin

The Biden administration is portraying plans from Republicans to gut the federal budget as jeopardizing national security.

Ukrainian forces running out of shells, equipment in fight for Bakhmut

To keep holding Bakhmut, Ukrainian troops need to be resupplied, fast.

Load More