Mt. Pinatubo Evacuation of Clark Air Base Philippines

Enjoy this two- part visual trace along the route of thousands of evacuees from Clark Air Base and Subic Bay, Philippines, as they escape the destructive force of the pending eruption of the Mt. Pinatubo volcano June 1991. Part 1 of this miraculous adventure covers the historic trek first from Clark Air Base to Subic Bay Naval Base; A week later evacuees board the massive aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, for a three day voyage, arriving off shore and ferried to Mac tan Air Base, Cebu by helicopter. Stops include: Guam, Hickam Air Base, Hawaii and on to Travis Air Force Base, California.
Part 2 offers the viewer a rare, but memorable glimpse back at US military facilities as they were before this colossal event.
Videographer and former Clarkite, Virgil Hopper produced this Philippines Experience video series. He is a former member of the American Forces Radio and Television Service that served both Clark and Subic-area audiences with radio and television programming on FEN, the (Far East Network).
A large library of video features were shot during Mr. Hopper's stay in the Philippines,
from military functions to private events. Most of those features will be available online soon...

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Clark
• Air
• Base;
• Mt.
• Pinatubo;
• Subic
• Bay
• R.P.

[fatmasterslam]

I was there, C Co 3rd Recon Bn. My story was way different, but life changed very quickly that day for us and many others. Our mission changed, as well as the focus of what was important and not important. I helped people both alive and dead. USS Abe Lincoln was our first real food, and then we had to get off and make room for the civies, that was fine, but it will be something I carry with me for life, first Desert shield/storm then Mt Pinatubo. I was beginning someone hated us.

[vvideo06]

Hi 5's fatmasterslam:)

Great to get such feedback from one who appears to have been in the thick of it all..

Seldom do we feel our efforts have made POSITIVE impact on anything across life. I think you and others on the USS Abraham Lincoln and other vessels, can feel good about your accomplishments.

I see alot of POSITIVES from our Philippines experiences. As a videographer, I only wish a camera was available to capture times in Thailand (AFTN~ UDORN'71,AFKN~Kunsan,Korea'82G­reenland & more.

[ampinoy13]

Virgil my brother: I had departed Clark in August 1990 or my family and I would have been among the evacuees. You have produced a fine account of what those people went through. When I show this to my wife, we will no doubt spot some of those we knew in our five years there. Salamat Po. Godspeed.

[vvideo06]

Hello ampinoy13:

THANKS ALLOT FOR YOUR INPUT..

The idea is to seek out thousands of folks, who are the loved X-PATriots still home in the Philippines, as well as those scattered elsewhere, who treasure their many special memories of this Pacific Paradise. Let's keep a special place online and in our hearts for that experience. Don't forget that flights are now available, to fly direct to Clark and other fabulous points in paradise. Stay tuned for more videos...

Virgil Hopper (vvideo06)

[jusitke07]

VVIDEO06: I agree with you, I have my points in misbehaving. But Angeles City is very flamboyant about it, so a Supreme Being put a stop to it. My question to you now is, has Angeles City repented, or are they still in their ways of lasciviousness?

[vvideo06]

Our position is not to call judgement. Those issues will be dealt with in due time. Let's live and let live. In this electronic age, we all live in glass houses to some extent. Let's not cast stones. The people of Angeles City have love in their hearts just as anyone else on this planet. Can't we all just get along???

[MrPacific130]

I was station at Cubi Point when Pinatubo went off; wife and kids were evacuated out and I got the honor of staying behind and digging the place out.

[williamforshort]

Great stuff. Often untold is the story of my ship, the USS Arkansas, the first US Naval ship in the evacuation of Clark personnel and dependents to Cebu via Subic Bay. I believe it was the day of the largest eruption, June 15th, two days before the runs made by the Abe Lincoln that are outlined in this video. We were pierside, powered by our reactors, when all hell broke loose. Quite small as compared to the Lincoln (and no hangar bay), we made two trips to Cebu before the Lincoln relieved us.

[Shmoov]

Great video - this followed my exact itinerary (I didn't spot myself in the video anywhere, though :) ). Hard to believe this was just over 20 years ago. I was lucky enough to be one of the first ones to leave as I already had orders to Nellis AFB. I also got lucky when I got onboard the Lincoln - I was picked up by the Admiral's aide and actually got my *own* berth in visiting O-6 quarters - an E-3 with my own room and shower!

[Wild66Cat]

@Honkynees I want to thank you and all of your shipmates for giving up your bunks and living spaces. I remember eating, showering and passing out until we reached Guam.

[Wild66Cat]

@Honkynees I was lucky enough to be one of the last "essential" Air Force personnel to leave on the Abraham Lincoln. I had been working virtually around the clock trying to account for every U.S. Serviceman/woman assigned to Clark, and all of their dependents. The only reason I got to leave when I did, was that my tour was up in a month, and I guess I lucked out. I'll never forget walking onto the ship and being handed a cup of ice water, something I hadn't tasted in weeks.

[Honkynees]

I was a sailor (DC2) on the Abraham Lincoln at that time. I heard so many horror stories about the locals waving as military personnel and dependents were being evacuated and their property was looted. Our passengers were so happy to get a hot meal, a place to sleep and a shower; things most people take for granted. The only fun part of that situation was the pets we looked after. I hope your time on board the Lincoln was helpful and helped all of you cope during that crazy time.

[crookhunter]

@tiggeer88  Try facebook

[oiresttam]

That was my wedding gift. Got my fiancée out from Subic just one week before the eruption. We got married on June 9th on the States which was the 10th in PI. Just two days later I was recalled back to my ship USS Midway in Japan to help with the evacuation. Never did got a honeymoon, but we'll be married 20 years.

[tiggeer88]

Does anyone know Gary Dale in Air Force in Clark Base? Im looking for my father and my mother name is Josephine.. And my father name is Gary dale, that what my mom told me his name!!! 1984 to 1988 he was station there around there but I know in 1987 he was there.

[Jammerjim]

I was stationed at Yokota Ab Japan when this happened. We were deployed to Mactan AB, Cebu to build a tent city and processing area for the evacuees.

We saw so many pets die from the heat during the transportation. Most of the people only had the clothes on their backs.