Can anyone identify this tornado or AFB in the foreground?

[George Tincher]

Just curious, as we've been discussing this in chat and can't come to a firm conclusion. The flightline of F-16's should be helpful, but I am still uncertain.

So far, the two most popular choices are Altus AFB, OK on 5/11/82. The other popular guess is McConnell AFB, KS on 4/26/91. But I can't recall any active duty premiere fighter wings being stationed at Altus and in 1982, the F-16 was brand new, meaning the premiere fighter wings would have been the first to receive it, with no reserve or guard units operating it. However, the F-16's may have been based elsewhere and just there at the time for training. Also, I was thinking the 184th Bomb Wing flying B-1B's were what was at McConnell in 1991, but again, the F-16's could have been there for some other purpose.

So, anyone have any idea where this might have been? McConnell AFB? Altus AFB? A different location?

For my own guess, I am gonna go with McConnell AFB, KS on 4/26/91. That funnel looks very similar to one that passed through the base area (that we have all seen on video countless times).

 

[Darin Brunin]

Definitely Andover on April 26, 1991.

McConnell AFB

 

[GPhillips]

Looks like it easily could have been McConnell. According to the McConnell AFB history web page...

http://public.mcconnell.amc.af.mil/history.htm

In May 1992, the Air Force announced more significant changes McConnell. The Kansas Air National Guard (the 184th Fighter Group), long a resident of McConnell, would lose their F-16s and gain the B-1B bombers and become the 184th Bomb Group.

 

[George Tincher]

OK, that pretty much convinces me it is McConnell. I wasn't aware the 184th didn't assume operations in the B-1 until 1992. Now it all makes sense.

 

[Dan Robinson]

As others mentioned this is McConnell AFB (Andover F5) 4/26/91. According to a Google search, the photo was taken by Chris Fiebig.

 

[samuel stone]

I have seen that photo countless times in various places, so I recognized it imediatly. I love the aircraft in the foreground, price tag on that 'nado would have gone way if they had been hit!

 

[Anthony Silver]

Yep, that's definetly McConnell. It's been several years since I've seen that photo, but I also recognized it immediately as well, and yes that's a good thing it missed the planes, that would have been really ugly if that particular area of the base took a direct hit.

 

[Chris Lott]

I remember seeing this one on t.v. before---it's McConnell and the Andover tornado. It was said that the tornado barely missed the line of jets. I wonder how much money would have been lost if those jets had been wiped out.

 

[Pat Lawrence]

Originally posted by Chris Lott
I remember seeing this one on t.v. before---it's McConnell and the Andover tornado. It was said that the tornado barely missed the line of jets. I wonder how much money would have been lost if those jets had been wiped out.

Depending on the type of fighter:

* F-16A/B: 1998USD 14.6 million
* F-16C/D: 1998USD 18.8 million
* late models: 1998USD 26.9 million
/plane!

Just imagine if a tornado ripped through Whiteman AFB, the home of most of our B-2 Spirits...they only cost 2 billion+ a piece

Pat

 

[Jay Cazel]

Originally posted by Pat Lawrence+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pat Lawrence)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-Chris Lott

I remember seeing this one on t.v. before---it's McConnell and the Andover tornado. It was said that the tornado barely missed the line of jets. I wonder how much money would have been lost if those jets had been wiped out.

Depending on the type of fighter:

* F-16A/B: 1998USD 14.6 million
* F-16C/D: 1998USD 18.8 million
* late models: 1998USD 26.9 million
/plane!

Just imagine if a tornado ripped through Whiteman AFB, the home of most of our B-2 Spirits...they only cost 2 billion+ a piece

Pat[/b]

In 1991 McConnell also had 15+ B-1Bs and 20+ KC-135 Tankers there.

 

[Pat Lawrence]

B-1B = $283.1 million per plane
KC-135 = $39.6 million per plane

Good thing the tornado missed the wings.

Pat

Figures are in 1998 constant dollars BTW.

 

[Shaba117]

I figured that it was McConnel AFB. The flightline of F-16s confused me, though. I thought that the base had B-1Bs. The reports from the Andover tornado mentioned it 'barely missing a flightline of B-1Bs'. Apparently, McConnel did not attain the bombers until 1992. Anyway, glad that storm didn't make a direct hit on that base....that's quite a few F-16s there.

 

[Jay Cazel]

Originally posted by Kyle Flannigan
I figured that it was McConnel AFB. The flightline of F-16s confused me, though. I thought that the base had B-1Bs. The reports from the Andover tornado mentioned it 'barely missing a flightline of B-1Bs'. Apparently, McConnel did not attain the bombers until 1992. Anyway, glad that storm didn't make a direct hit on that base....that's quite a few F-16s there.

The F-16s where part of the Kansas Air National Guard....They where on the west side of the base, the B-1s and the tankers where/are on ther east side of the base. The only planes at McConnell now are the Tankers.