Damage on Wake less than feared, flyover shows (photos))

Air Force Link + Coast Guard Photos ^ | September 5, 2006

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

And maybe the rodents drowned and got washed out to sea?! (We can only hope...)

[elcid1970]

I saw Wake Island as a nine year old Army brat in 1958. Jap relics were everywhere, including a beached midget sub, and some beaches were off limits due to mines. Still got coral I picked up from them. Had to watch out for rusty barbed wire.

Marines fought one hell of a battle on Wake in 1942. Of course I didn't learn that till later.

[Right Wing Assault]

Looks like it blew down what might be a chain link fence around the dish! Didn't they used to call those "hurricane" fences?

[zot]

Thanks for the ping. I had been wondering how badly Wake was damaged. It looks considerably better than I expected.

[Joe Boucher]

Thanks HAL, yesterday I saw a story but it didn't post photos. This seems loads better then it could have been.
GOOD job.

[ThomasPaine2000]

Andrews... Note their logo..(Red Lightning Bolt)

[ThomasPaine2000]

Bent, but not broken, just a little duct tape will fix it..
Time for the SeaBee's and Redhorse/Prime Beef to go to work. A lot better than I was expecting, some of those roofs survived better than mine during Hurricane Rita!!

[El Gato]

The makers of this particular satellite dish are going to want to use this shot in an advertising campaign.

I had the same thought. I think that's an Andrew antenna from the logo.

A photo of an earth station antenna from their website

[El Gato]

The dish has some damage that was not apparent in the low-res photo

Indeed it does. But I think those things are put together in sections on site anyway. Just replace or reattach the twisted sections and it'll probably be good to go. Wouldn't be surprised if it works "Good enough", assuming the electronics and cables are OK.

[El Gato]

It would be interesting to see a wide view of the whole islan

Actually that runway shot does cover a substantial fraction of the "whole island". Place just isn't very big.

In the higher res shot, you can see that there is some sand on the overrun. The perimeter road and a road that apparently lead to the beach are pretty much covered by sand. But still, overall, not bad at all. The Red Horse team should have her up and running in a week or two, maybe much less.

[MplsSteve]

That's impressive. I would have liked to have seen Wake Island at a time like that.

I'll bet the relic hunting was huge! Did anyone in your family bring home any souvenirs?

[1rudeboy]

I would add that the folks who erected it should also.

[SW6906]

Ping!

[LadyPilgrim]

Thank you for this update.

I had sent out info in an email, on this little piece of earth, before it was hit.

I am so grateful it isn't so badly damaged.
Praise the Lord!

[Vroomfondel]

Didn't they used to call those "hurricane" fences?

Well, there's the problem. They should have used a "typhoon" fence.

(sorry; couldn't resist)

[AnAmericanMother]

What's the state flower of West Virginia doing on Wake Island?

Invasive species.

[Ready4Freddy]

Damn, and I was gonna say... 'never bring a hurricane fence to a typhoon fight' ;>)

[Heyworth]

the whole French meteorologist story was a fake.

Damn. I was wondering all weekend what happened to him. He would've had a hell of a story to tell.

[DouglasKC]

Thanks for the info. I appreciated some of the prior threads about Wake Island. It was fascinating to do some study about it's history and how it affected those who have lived there.

[Right Wing Assault]

Well, I guess that does explain it! I wonder if anyone makes typhoon fences so they can replace the trashed hurricane fence.