Texas-based Airman’s Family Takes Steps to Help Tornado Victims

By Air Force Airman 1st Class John D. Partlow
47th Flying Training Wing

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, May 22, 2013 – Efforts to help people who were injured or lost their homes began almost immediately after a deadly tornado struck Moore, Okla., May 20.

One of those willing to help was Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shane Buss, the 47th Flying Training Wing’s equal opportunity noncommissioned officer in charge, along with his wife and four children.

"I was stationed in Oklahoma when an EF4 tornado hit in 1999, so I've seen the kind of destruction these things can have," Buss said. "We consider some old friends up there to be like family, and that region feels like home to us."

The Buss family plans to drop off much-needed supplies such as snacks, water, towels and soap.

"Apart from food and water, the supplies needed most are construction equipment like wheelbarrows and gloves for clean-up efforts," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chris Robertson, a 72nd Security Forces Squadron patrolman assigned to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. The tornado destroyed his home and crushed his family’s two vehicles.

"It's wonderful to see people helping who are so far away," he said.

Drop-off points have been established here for items anyone in the Laughlin community wants to donate to the tornado victims.