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Winter storm ices Shaw

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  As much as 1.25 inches of ice and snow covered roads and coated trees and power lines here, Feb. 12 and 13.

The bizarre winter storm swept through Sumter, S.C., and covered Shaw AFB in its path, causing the base to invoke minimum manning and operate with mission essential personnel only for two days.

According to numerous weather services, the storm effected several states across the east coast. South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley declared a state of emergency while President Barrack Obama declared the state a federal disaster area due to damage caused by the storm across the state.

To meet challenges produced by the winter weather head on, the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron ramped up their work shifts and conducted 24-hour operations to ensure Shaw's roads were passable. In addition to clearing the roads, Airmen from the unit ensured power lines were secure and debris from broken tree branches were removed.

The squadron put together a crew of roughly 22 Airmen who worked 12-hour shifts both day and night for three days.

"We used three Bobcats with snow brooms attached and two snow plows to clear the ice and snow from the roads," said Airman 1st Class Jacob Robinson, 20th CES heavy equipment operator.

Sumter gets an average of 0.4 inches of snow per year, according to the website currentresult.com, a number which has been crushed this year due to irregular winter storms that have pummeled the area.

Some people who have lived in the south for years are shocked.

"It's been crazy to see so much snow fall happen this winter," said Robinson, a native of Richfield, N.C. "We hardly see weather like this in this part of the country, but I feel like we were prepared and did a good job of keeping the roads here on Shaw clear for those who needed to get around."

So the question stands, what has been the worse snow storm in history to hit Shaw?

The year was 1973 and at the time Shaw was home to the RF-4 Phantom aircraft. It was that year on Feb. 9, that the worse storm in recorded history slammed Shaw AFB.

The storm lasted for two days and produced 18 to 23 inches of snow, crippling the Sumter community and shocking the residents, explained Arthur Sevigny, 20th Fighter Wing historian.

Sevigny wasn't present during the time of the storm but maintains an extensive record of the event.

The blizzard of '73, as some would go on to call it, left Shaw AFB covered in blankets of snow. Thousands of motorists were stranded and many of the resident population were unable to get to shelters.

In order to bring the base back to a fully operational status, Shaw had to call on their brothers and sisters from Hulburt Field, Fla., continued Sevigny.

Members from the 823rd Red Horse Squadron flew in on C-130's and sent snow blowers to Shaw to aid the snow covered base. By Feb. 13, just three days after the storm hit, Shaw returned to a fully operational status.

In the midst of the storm, local authorities requested assistance from Shaw to help those in distress. Helicopters from Shaw rescued many motorists from Interstate 95 and rural homes while also transporting food and supplies.

According to the 20th FW archived documents detailing the event, 105 vehicles were used, 30 helicopter missions were conducted resulting in 80 flight hours, and 21,000 pounds of supplies and food transported.

While the most recent winter storm wasn't as severe as the blizzard of '73, Team Shaw still felt the chill but safely overcame all obstacles produced by the frigid weather.