Clark Air Base Scrapbook

Fire On The Mountain

by Thomas C. Utts

In early April 1991 pilots flying over Mount Pinatubo spotted steam coming from vents on the north
side of the summit dome. It wasn't long until earthquakes were rumbling through the countryside
and experts flew in to take the mountain's temperature. By early June they were convinced
it was building toward a catastrophic blow out. An evacuation was ordered, and all but
but mission essential people were sent to Subic Bay Naval Station. The first major
eruption was on June Wednesday, June 12 at 8:51 A.M. The next day at 8:41 A.M.
another huge eruption sent a column of ash into the air. The big one, which tore
the top off Pinatubo was on was at 1:09 P.M. on June 14. It was the start of
an eruptive phase which sent all the Americas away from Clark by
3 P.M. the next day, Sunday, June 15. The eruption photos
below are not dated but are from different eruptions
during this period and in the next two months.

(Some pictures were snagged from other
internet web sites and the photographer isn't
know. For photo credit please e-mail webmaster).

These flightline views illustrate why it was understandable that at first many at Clark just didn't
take the warnings about Pinatubo seriously. Clark was so huge, the mountain so far away,
and the puffs of steam so innocent looking--how could there really be any danger?
(Photo by Mark Edwards)

Even close up, before the
eruptions started, a little
steam leaking out didn't
appear to be a really
serious problem.
(U.S. Geological
Survey Photo)

BOOM!
But it was. This one
one says it all. Not exactly
sure where it was taken,
or who took it.

Looks like someone
at 13th Air Force HQ
was blowing smoke.

Oh, Shi . . . eesh!
In the control tower
Clark's tower flowers
get an eye full of
a mid-July eruption.
(U.S. Geological
Survey photo)

Awesome, dude!!! Two different views of eruptions.
(Photo by U.S. Geological Service)

Caribou for sale--cheap!!!
( Photo by U.S.
Geological Service)

Pinatubo makes the
front page of the
Stars and Stripes.

As well as the cover
of the September 1991
issue of Airman Magazine.
(Sent by Joey Hodges,
former 3rd TFW
F-4E Crew Chief)

Clark housing area
shortly after the
big eruption
(Photo by TSgt.
Bear Sobkoviak)

Capt. Mark Hanneman,
OSI, evacuated to Subic
with his wife and daughters.
Afterward, they went back
to the states. Mark was mission
essential, so he returned
to Clark. This was his house
on base when he got there.
(Photo by Mark Hanneman)

The base gym
collapsed under the
weight of all that ash.
(Photo by TSgt.
Bear Sobkoviak)

          Now where did I
          put my keys???
           (Photographer
           unknown)

More cars "snowed"
in. Not sure if this
is at Clark or Subic.

Aerial view of
buildings and aircraft
parking revetments
on the flightline
shortly after
the eruption

Pinatubo Link
US Geological Service: -- Official reports and picture of the eruption

Gateway
WEB MASTER: Tom Utts
Zcap@usa.net

Update: 2001