Beale weathers winter storm

Airmen from the 9th and 940th Civil Engineer Squadrons operate heavy equipment to clear the bridge on Camp Beale Hwy. after a storm flooded rocks onto the roadway and water flooded over the crossing Dec. 2, 2012 at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Several roadways between main base and housing flooded. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

Beale weathers winter storm

A piece of heavy equipment from the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron is driven through flooding next to the range on Doolittle Dr. at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 2, 2012. The 9th and 940th Civil Engineer Squadrons responded to clear roads of debris and fix downed power lines throughout base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

Beale weathers winter storm

Chief Master Sgt. Robert White, 9th Reconnaissance Wing command chief, thanks an Airman from the 9th Security Forces Squadron for his response during flooding Dec. 2, 2012 at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Several 9th Security Forces Squadron and 9th Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen where recalled for the emergency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

Beale weathers winter storms

Airmen from the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron remove debris from a bridge off Camp Beale Highway at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 3, 2012. The 9th CES removed more than 60 yards of debris after heavy rainstorms caused wide spread flooding on base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Robert Cummings/Released)

Beale weathers winter storm

Published Dec. 4, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Beale was bombarded by a series of storms, which started Nov. 28 and peaked Dec. 2.

"Our weather team forecasted a strong storm, and when it hit, they were right on," said 1st Lt. Nicholas Chisler, 9th Operations Support Squadron, weather flight commander.

According to Chisler, Beale was hit with a series of storms, which led to torrential downpours of nearly seven inches of rain and wind gusts up to 55 mph.

The storm knocked out power to base housing for several hours, flooded many streets and led to gate closures.

Members of the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron, 940th CES and 9th Security Forces immediately went into action to restore power, clear roadways and ensure public safety.

"Our primary concern was safety," said Master Sgt. Thundercloud Hirajeta, 9th CES heavy equipment element chief, who coordinated the relief efforts. "Whenever you have downed power lines and heavy flooding, it's not a good combination."

The heavy rain also led to a temporary closure of Beale Lake Bridge and the Three Bridges area that leads into base housing.

"It was a unique situation--parts of the base were essentially cut-off from one another," Hirajeta said. "We had to bring in our heavy equipment."

Heavy equipment operators used a backhoe, grader and a front-end loader to remove nearly five dump trucks worth of debris blocking the bridges and waterways.

"We moved 60 yards of debris, got the power back on and made the roads and bridges passable within a matter of hours," Hirajeta said. "It was amazing teamwork."

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Edwards, 9th Mission Support Group superintendent, commended the timely response.

"The combined efforts of the 9th CS, SFS, 940th Wing CES, and other responding base agencies minimized the potential destruction and ensured base-wide safety," he said. "It was truly a Team Beale response; everyone performed brilliantly."

To report downed power lines or major flooding, contact the 9th SFS Law Enforcement desk at 634-2131.