An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 4, 2008

Arkansas Soldiers injured as severe weather strikes Camp Shelby

By Capt. Chris Heathscott Arkansas National Guard

Fourteen Soldiers treated and released after strong winds collapse barracks' roof

Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Miss. - Fourteen Soldiers with the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were injured last night as a result of severe weather passing through Camp Shelby.

Injuries were mainly limited to minor cuts and bruises, with one Soldier suffering a more severe, yet non-life-threatening injury.

At about 11 p.m., an unconfirmed tornado passed through the post just south of Hattiesburg, Miss., seriously damaging a barracks building, which housed Soldiers from the 39th's 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry units based in Mena, DeQueen and Sheridan, Ark.

The building's roof was partially blown away by strong winds with the remainder collapsing on several Soldiers inside. The 39th's Soldiers from neighboring barracks quickly responded with a search and rescue effort and establishing triage.

Along with the battalion's physician assistant, the 39th's medics and combat lifesavers on the scene to assist outnumbered the injured Soldiers. Civilian emergency officials arrived in short order and were able to quickly get the Soldiers transported to the local hospital, where all 14 were treated and released.

The 39th confirms all Soldiers have been accounted for and the families of the injured Soldiers have been notified.

A complete damage assessment to the post is anticipated to take place today.

The 39th, which is headquartered in Little Rock, is currently conducting mobilization training at Camp Shelby in preparation for an upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The brigade will conduct a farewell ceremony March 6, with deployment overseas later in the month.

 

 

Related Articles
Senior Airman Alexa Reeves, 105th Security Support Squadron Phoenix Raven, poses for a photo in front of a Raven painting, at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, Mar. 3, 2025. As a Raven, Reeves provides protection for the 105th Airlift Wing’s C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and crews transiting through austere locations where security is unknown or additional security is needed to counter higher threat levels. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sarah Post)
New York Air Guard’s Journey to Becoming a Phoenix Raven
By Senior Airman Sarah Post, | April 30, 2025
STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – Alexa Reeves never expected that her decision to join the New York Air National Guard after high school would lead to becoming a member of Air Mobility Command’s specially trained...

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, speaks with Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen during the 2025 annual Virginia National Guard Military Ball on April 26 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs Highlights Virginia National Guard Excellence at Military Ball
By Maj. Cibeles Ramirez-Rodriguez, | April 30, 2025
Virginia Beach, Va. — Lt. Gen. Jonathan "Jon" Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, joined Virginia National Guard leaders, Soldiers, Airmen and families at the 2025 annual Virginia National Guard Military Ball on...

President Santiago Peña, the President of the Republic of Paraguay, left, presents the Order of Merit
Paraguayan President Awards Top Honor to Massachusetts National Guard General
By Senior Airman Julia Ahaesy, | April 29, 2025
ASUNCION, Paraguay – U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, has been awarded the distinguished Order of Merit “Gral Div Bernardino Caballero” in the grade of “Gran Cross”...