From: clarinews@clarinet.com (LES KJOS)
Newsgroups: biz.clarinet.sample,clari.news.disaster,clari.news.gov.usa,clari.local.florida
Subject: Mack flies over damage
Keywords: severe weather, trouble, usa federal, government
Date: 25 Aug 92 21:01:15 GMT
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Note: (complete writethru -- adding destruction at Homestead Air Force Base)


	MIAMI (UPI) -- Sen. Connie Mack, R-Fla., said Tuesday it may be
difficult to rebuild Homestead Air Force Base -- which was all but
destroyed by Hurricane Andrew -- despite its function of ``keeping an eye
on Fidel Castro.''
	``When you see the damage to the facilities out there, it's hard to
imagine rebuilding the base in these difficult times,'' said Mack. On
Monday, he flew over South Florida, including the base.
	``Virtually every building on the base is damaged. What's amazing is
the tower. All that glass in the tower is gone. If any glass was going
to stand up you would think that would,'' Mack said.
	Mack said money may not be available to rebuild the base because of
the recession and the end of the Cold War.
	``I have real concerns at this point. Every building is damaged
severely. I know what it was like to get several million dollars to get
a new hospital down there,'' he said. ``And then I look and see what's
happening as far as base closings around the country.''
	But Mack said the base serves an important function and it may be
necessary to consider rebuilding it.
	``Clearly, the military has to assess the mission performed by
Homestad and make a determination whether it can only be carried out at
that location.
	``Its mission is one of keeping an eye on Fidel Castro and the
Caribbeaan, and that is a pretty important function,'' Mack said.
	Military officials Tuesday released an assessment of damage at the
base.
	The runway at Homestead Air Force Base has been cleared of debris and
aircraft could park on the ramp near where the tower was, said Capt.
Bill Harrison, public affairs officer for the Combat Air Command at
Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Va.
	However, runway lights are out and the base cannot service planes, he
said.
	The command's 31st fighter wing is stationed at Homestead, but
Harrison said about all but two of the wing's approximately 72 F-16 jet
fighters were moved to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina before
Hurricane Andrew struck.
	The two planes, left behind because they were undergoing maintenance
and could not fly, were destroyed.
	``It's too early to tell'' when the wing's fighters will return to
Homestead, Harrison said.
	Harrison said the storm destroyed all operations and maintenance
facilities, the base exchange and commissary. Roofs were ripped off the
remaining public buildings, he said, and the fuel storage area was left
unusable.
	Two hangars were destroyed, including one that contained the two F-
16s.
	In addition, 50 percent of the base housing was left without roofing
and 90 percent of the windows were broken in the dwellings.
	The commander has requested no one enter the base for at least
another five days, Harrison said.
	About 4,357 personnel are assigned to the 31st, including 484
civilians. All but 18 personnel were evacuated before the storm hit.
	Mack flew all over the southern tip of Florida and said the
destruction from Hurricane Andrew seemed to disappear over the
Everglades.
	``The difference between the east coast and the west coast is really
stark,'' Mack said. ``It's like the dark side of the moon versus the
bright side.''
	He said compared to south Dade County, the Naples area was virtually
untouched.
	``We flew out to Miami Beach, along the coast and went over to the
west coast. It's like the storm disappeared in the Everglades,'' he
said.
	Mack, who visited a shelter for the homeless Monday, said he would
remain in the area for several days.
	``After seeing the hurt and the pain yesterday, I want to be here to
help in any way I can,'' he said. ``Let's face it, it's the
professionals who make things work. But if there are calls that need to
be made to various special offices I can make them.
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