2013 Tornado

Senior Airman Walter Bolles, an air crew flight equipment specialist with the 552nd Operations Support Squadron, passes donated relief supplies to Senior Airman John Sloop, with the 32nd Combat Communications Squadron, on May 23. The donated supplies were flown in from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., after a tornado with winds ranging from 200 to 210 mph struck Moore on May 20, 2013. Airman Bolles is originally from Bremerton, Wash., and Airman Sloop is originally from Mooresville, N.C. (Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Bradley C. Church)

2013 Tornado

Tech. Sgt. Rhonda Stockstill, a surgical technician with the 72nd Medical Group, embraces her husband, Lendle, May 27 in the shattered remnants of their former home. The Stockstills huddled under the stairs as the May 20 storm ravaged their home. Once it passed, the Airman rushed to provide medical aid to students and faculty injured and trapped in nearby Briarwood Elementary School. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder)

Oklahoma Airmen volunteer in storm-wracked areas of state

Published May 25, 2013
By Capt. Jeff M. Nagan
3rd Combat Camera Squadron

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- More than 600 Airmen from three Oklahoma Air Force bases, in addition to federal and state workers, volunteered May 24, 2013, to assist Oklahoma residents in recovering some of their effects in the aftermath of an EF-5 tornado.

Many Air Force members had the day off to spend time with their families, but for volunteers in the greater Oklahoma area, the day served as a chance to help others.

"This was my chance to help the community," said 1st Lt. Linna De Cuir, an air weapons officer in the 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. "The public is military friendly, and we want to give back to the community."

In addition to Tinker AFB, Airmen from Altus AFB, Okla., and Vance AFB, Okla., joined in the cleanup effort.

On May 20, a 1.5-mile-wide, EF-5 tornado ripped a path through the town of Moore, Okla., just south of Oklahoma City, killing 24, injuring hundreds and leaving thousands of homes in ruins. Within hours after the disaster, National Guard, state and federal first responders began rescue and recovery efforts. After three days, streams of people began returning to what were once their homes to pick up what was left of their personal belongings.

"If I could find a memento or picture, it could mean a lot to the families," said De Cuir, who is originally from Lincolnton, N.C. "Even something little can go a long way."

Serving as extra hands and eyes and working alongside residents, the volunteers sifted through the rubble, moving bricks, boards and other debris in search of valuables. For one resident, the discovery of fragments of a china set she inherited from her grandparents nearly brought her to tears.

"Even a few pieces help keep these memories alive with me," said Mona Thomas, a 35-year resident of Moore. "I can pass them down to my grandchildren."

Without the help of the Airmen, she would have had to search through the debris by herself or wait for her relatives to arrive, Thomas said. The Airmen allowed her to immediately start uncovering the remains of her shattered home.

"I was coming in to dig out my stuff and these guys were here," she said, referring to the Airmen who were still assisting residents after nearly eight hours. "They asked if I need anything, and they jumped right in."

Many of the Airmen had started the volunteer effort as early as 8 a.m. Even as the sun began to dip in the evening, many were still among the rubble, helping local residents. Although their effort made a small impact, it strengthens hope and resolve in the community.

"I am devastated, but the community support is outstanding," said Thomas. "We are united Oklahomans. We are one family. It is just wonderful, the love and support from complete strangers -- strangers you may never meet again."