3 years since Hurricane Katrina: Keesler is thriving with focus on future Published Aug. 27, 2008 By 1st Lt. Nick Plante 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AFB, MISS -- Natural disasters have struck U.S. Air Force installations in the past, causing some to transfer missions and others to close for good, but that hasn't been the case for Keesler, which felt the wrath of Hurricane Katrina, Aug. 29, 2005. Three years later, Keesler has recovered and is thriving with a focus on the future. Keesler has not only recovered from the effects of the nation's largest natural disaster, but the base has become a model for the 21st century Air Force, according to Col. Greg Touhill, 81st Training Wing commander. "We want everyone to know Keesler's back and running strong," said Col. Greg Touhill, 81st Training Wing commander. Keesler leads the way in quality of life initiatives with $950 million worth of post-Katrina recovery and construction projects. Principal among these projects is the largest military housing project in Air Force history. An estimated 1,028 new homes will be built by 2010 at an estimated cost of $287.4 million. So far, 276 homes have been turned over to the base, all of which have been built "smarter" than before. "These new homes are built stronger and more energy efficient than previous on-base housing and are a great improvement to the quality of life for Keesler's military members," said Col. Jeffrey Jackson, 81st Mission Support Group commander. Keesler Medical Center, one of the largest medical treatment facilities in the Air Force, provides care to approximately 240,000 outpatients. Since 2005, the medical center has reopened 20 clinics and services, including a state-of-the-art family birthing center at a cost of $13.4 million and also built a new central energy plant and radiation therapy center. "The success of Keesler Air Force Base can be attributed to the resilience of those Airmen and civilians who played a large part in the rebuilding process," said Colonel Touhill. "Those who live and work on the base and in the surrounding communities can take great pride in knowing that Keesler isn't only back but it's back better and more prepared than it ever was." Keesler's leadership is dedicated to keeping its strong ties with the local community. Many of Keesler's employees live in the surrounding communities and the base's extended population represents nearly 87,000 people including active-duty military, Department of Defense civilians, retirees and their family members. "One of the Air Force's core values is service before self and the actions of Keesler's Airmen prove they live it," said Colonel Touhill. "Not only are our Airmen fulfilling our nation's call, but they make time to help the communities they live in and are a part of." Volunteers from the 81st TRW have provided more than 100,000 man-hours to the surrounding communities, an estimated value of more than $1 million. These Keesler volunteers work in the local communities in their spare time while staying focused on the base's primary mission, which is training the high-tech warriors our nation needs for national security, said Colonel Touhill. Keesler continues to be the Air Force's Center of Excellence for communications and electronics training. The wing also provides training for a variety of electronics and communications career fields as well as many others to include personnel, weather, and command and control specialties for the Air Force. Keesler Medical Center also trains medical professionals in a variety of different career fields. "Pick a location throughout today's Air Force and undoubtedly you will find someone who was trained at Keesler," said Col. Prince Gilliard, 81st Training Group commander. "What we train at Keesler directly and positively affects our operations worldwide." Keesler leads the way for training in technical fields for the Air Force, with 391 courses for 38 separate specialties. "Our medical center also trains medical physicians and technicians that save lives throughout the world including those injured while fighting the global war on terrorism," said Colonel Touhill. "Keesler's back and it's because of the people who serve and the people who support them in the surrounding communities."