Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Thank You For Being A Friend, Air Force Says

Air Force Col. Catherine Barrington, 90th Missile Wing commander, began the missile project Real Estate meeting by thanking area departments and agencies for their response during the Humvee fire incident that closed Highway 71 for five days.

An Air Force Humvee with explosive hazards caught fire as it traveled south on 71 at mile marker 23. There were no injuries.

According to 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs, a team from the 90th Explosive Ordinance Disposal detonated ammunition and grenades that were not able to be removed from the burning vehicle.

Barrington acknowledged and thanked the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, Kimball County Sheriff Department, the Nebraska Department of Transportation, and the local EMS team and chaplain for their assistance.

Barrington said, "We understand it was an inconvenience, and we appreciate that we were able to have the time, and we were able to do the job right, safely correct the situation and turn the area back over. We are very grateful for the partnerships we have with the team here."