U.S. Air Force restoration hangar

An early-morning EF1 tornado touched down Feb. 28 on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, knocking down power lines and trees while causing damage to several Area B buildings, including the Air Force Research Laboratory and a National Museum of the U.S. Air Force restoration hangar. No one was hurt. Base first responders and work crews were quickly dispatched for damage assessment, recovery actions and cleanup. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jack Gardner)

Wright-Patt AFB sustains damage from suspected tornado

Published Feb. 28, 2024
By 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
88th Air Base Wing

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force’s Restoration Hangar 4, Gate 22B (I-675 Gate) and several other buildings on Area B of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base sustained damage after a suspected early-morning tornado touched down Feb. 28.

The 88th Civil Engineer Group, first responders and base safety personnel are assessing damage throughout the base.

Gate 22B was temporarily closed due to the damage. It’s now back to normal operations along with Gate 19B (National Road).

“Our initial assessment from this morning’s storm is the damage is isolated to the southern side of Area B. Our initial focus right now is on safety and damage assessment,” said Col. Travis Pond, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander. “I can’t speak highly enough about our security forces, Fire Department and civil engineer Airmen for their quick response and hard work to assess damage and determine a path forward for restoring operations as quickly as possible.”

Damage photos can be found on the 88 ABW Flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/wrightpattafb/albums/72177720315118225.

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88th Air Base Wing Office of Public Affairs

Air Force Materiel Command

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