Truck explodes
at Dhahran
June 25, 1999
WASHINGTON DC (AFNS) -- At approximately
2:55 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 25, a fuel truck exploded
outside the northern fence of the Khobar Towers on King
Abdul Aziz Air Base near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Several
buildings have been damaged and there are numerous U.S.
casualties.
The latest information (3 p.m. EDT June
26) from Dhahran indicates that 19 people are dead and 105
are seriously injured. Additionally, more than 250 people
were treated for injuries and released.
Casualties from Patrick
Air Force Base, Fla. are: Master Sgt. Michael G. Heiser,
Palm Coast, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Johnson, Shreveport,
La.; Airman 1st Class Justin R. Wood, Modesto, Calif.; Capt.
Christopher J. Adams, Massapequa Park, N.Y.; and Capt.
Leland T. Haun, home of record pending.
Casualties from Eglin
AFB, Fla. are: Master Sgt. Kendall K. Kitson Jr., Yukon,
Okla.; Tech. Sgt. Thanh V. Nguyen, Panama City, Fla.; Tech.
Sgt. Patrick P. Fenning, Greendale, Wis.; Sgt. Millard D.
Campbell, Angelton, Texas; and Airman 1st Class Peter J.
Morgera, Stratham, N.H.
The names of the remaining nine casualties
will be released upon notification of next of kin.
Khobar Towers is a facility that houses
U.S. service members and serves as the headquarters for the
4404th Wing (Provisional), Southwest Asia, which is
commanded by Brig.
Gen. Terryl J. Schwalier.
An Air Force observer spotted the truck
stopping alongside barriers placed outside a perimeter
fence. When approached by Saudi security forces, the truck's
occupants fled in a getaway car.
Evacuations of nearby buildings started
immediately, but the truck exploded within three or four
minutes of first being sighted, leaving little time for
warnings.
Major flying units deployed to Dhahran in
support of Operation Southern Watch are from Eglin
AFB, Fla.; Hill AFB,
Utah; Shaw AFB, S.C.; Cannon
AFB, N.M.; and Little Rock AFB, Ark. These units are
assigned to the 4404th Wing which is part of the coalition
forces monitoring United
Nations resolutions against Iraq.
Aircraft from stateside and U.S.
Air Forces in Europe bases are prepared to evacuate the
wounded to military hospitals.
The commander of the Joint Task Force
Southwest Asia, Maj.
Gen. Kurt B. Anderson, has ordered enhanced U.S.
security measures throughout Saudi Arabia. Emergency actions
are under way to care for casualties and assess damage. U.S.
and Saudi Arabian officials are investigating the incident.
The Dhahran explosion is the second
terrorist attack on U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia. Another
bomb destroyed an Army training building in November last
year.
There is a number for Air Force family
members to call to help them stay informed about family
members who may have been involved in the incident. It is
1-800-253-9276.
See also, President's
related press releases
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