Migration
Repairs ongoing after winds batter Lajes Field, Azores
Stars and Stripes
February 19, 2014
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel Gosselin, 65th Civil Engineer Squadron power production technician, breaks up concrete on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at Lajes Field, Azores. Lajes Field was hit with a low-pressure weather system Feb. 13, and strong winds caused damage to base facilities and military family housing. Paul Villanueva II/U.S. Air Force ()
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel Gosselin, 65th Civil Engineer Squadron power production technician, breaks up concrete on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at Lajes Field, Azores. Lajes Field was hit with a low-pressure weather system Feb. 13, and strong winds caused damage to base facilities and military family housing. Paul Villanueva II/U.S. Air Force ()
Airmen from the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron help to install a fence on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at Lajes Field, Azores. Strong winds damaged 800 feet of base fencing and caused about $75,000 in damage. Paul Villanueva II/U.S. Air Force ()
Officials at Lajes Field, Azores, are still trying to repair about $75,000 in damages from strong winds last week.
Winds of 89 miles per hour were recorded at the U.S. Air Force base on Feb. 13, and The Portugal News Online reported most of the Azores Archipelago was placed on the highest weather alert that day.
Capt. Mark Graff, a spokesman for the base, said about 800 feet of fencing was destroyed and 170 housing units and 15 other buildings suffered roof damage.
Some street lights, electrical poles and trees were also damaged, Graff said.
“Repairs continue to date, but operations and work schedules resumed as normal on Monday, Feb. 17,” Graff said in an e-mail Wednesday.
No injuries from the storm were reported, Graff said.
Lajes Field is a dual-use facility, with a civilian terminal that handles regional air passenger traffic.