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Show i NEWS .June 21. 1991 Hilltop Times America ens fly io sofety ion Fiery Vi by SSgt. Oavid P. Masko Air Force Nes Service WASHINGTON More than 18,000 military dependents of American servicemembers in the Philippines are being evacuated due to the continued threat of volcanic activity in Mount Pinatubo, about 10 miles west of Clark AB. Aside from the families at Qark, those of servicemen and women attached to Subic Bay Naval Station, Philippines, are also returning to the United States, defense officials said June 16. The evacuation, named Fiery Vigil, was ordered after another violent eruption from the volcano spewed ash and rocks on both Clark and Subic Bay, claiming the lives of two Air Force dependents. Geologists said the latest eruption was of historic proportions, at least as powerful, but maybe bigger than the 1982 Mount St. Helens eruption in southern Washington. More than 14,000 Air Force members and their families left Clark June 10 and were taken to Subic Bay because of the threat from the erupting volcano. However, Subic Bay did not escape the volcano's fury during its latest eruption, prompting the June 16 evacuation of the first 863 Air Force people and their families. The evacuees were taken by Navy ships from Subic Bay to an airport on the small island of Mac tan two C--5 transin the Philippines. Using seven wide-body airliners, the ports and contracted civilian will shuttle the evacuees Military Airlift Command from Mactan to Andersen AB, Guam, and then to Travis AFB, Calif., or McChord AFB, Wash. "Once the first Fiery Vigil evacuation aircraft depart Mactan, we expect the airlift flow to be complete in five to six days," said Maj. Bob Rumbaugh, chief of the information branch, Air Force personnel readiness division. C-14- 1, MAC expects 3,600 passengers a day will go by way of Andersen to Hickam AB, Hawaii, and then to the United States. Another 1,200 people will be flown daily from Guam to Yokota AB, Japan, or AFB, Alaska, before arriving at Travis or McChord, Major Rumbaugh said. Although all military dependents will be leaving, a U.S. Embassy news release said some families may return when the current situation improves. The embassy also reports that the Subic Bay consulate processed 1,000 marriage licenses June 16. Mass marriages are being performed on base as applicants hurry to qualify for U.S. entry, a spokesman said. At the same time, Maj. Gen. William Studer, commander, 13th Air Force, heads a skeleton guard detachment of 1,500 Air Force security policeman and civil engineers at Clark to determine whether or not the Air Force will be able to return to the base, Major Rumbaugh said. "Their job is to assess damage and provide security," he said. Clark has extensive damage to hangars and warehouses, and the runway is covered with at least six inches of packed ash. In addition, the airport in Manila remains closed, and heavy rains have made major roads from Clark and Subic Bay impassable. More than 100 deaths associated with the volcanic disaster have been reported. Casualties came largely from mudflows, rock showers and roofs collapsing under the massive burden of falling ash. Based on information from satellite imagery, the top of Mount Pinatubo is no longer there but overall, the tremors have diminished. Geologists speculate a new dome will grow in the crater and say the most likely scenario is more, but less intense El-mend- eruptions. "For six months to two years, we can expect sporadic explosive eruptions equivalent to those noted on June 12," geologists said. Military - Telephone numbers e reactivated; for military families toll-fre- WASHINGTON (AFNS) The Air Force has activated its telephone number to provide information to families of people assigned to military bases in the toll-fre- e Philippines. Families seeking information about Air Force members and dependents assigned to bethe Philippines can call tween 8 a.m. and midnight, Eastern. This is the second time the line has been used to assist families of Air Force mem- bers. During Operation Desert Storm, thousands of calls were answered by staff members at the Air Force News Center, Kelly AFB, Texas. In addition to the Air Force hotline, the Navy and Marine Corps have activated toll-frenumbers to help families of those e services. The numbers are: Navy: 24-ho- operation. Marine be- Corps-1-800-874-- 7454, tween 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Eastern. Civilian Personnel Convenient and Quick Gash!! Cash for personal needs, vacations, etc. W UP TO $200 INSTAMTL !! Military ID or Civilian ID and Post Dated Check is all you need. IF YOU NEED INSTANT CASH, COME SEE US AT 300 EAST GENTILE ST. OPEN MON.-THUR- S. (Inside Layton Mini-Mal- l) LAYTON, UTAH FRI. 10 TO 5:30 10 TO 5 SAT. 12 TO 4 ;jj'p"y WW" |