“Tornadoes Strike Tinker AFB: March 1948’s Devastating Events and Landmark Forecast”

In the latter part of March 1948, Central Oklahoma experienced devastating tornadoes, two of which directly hit Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) on March 20th and March 25th. The first tornado originated near Will Rogers Field in Oklahoma City, causing extensive damage as it moved eastward towards Tinker AFB, where it destroyed 54 aircraft and inflicted significant damage to buildings and vehicles. This event marked the beginning of tornado forecasting efforts, with the remarkable occurrence of the first successful tornado forecast just five days later at the same location.The second tornado struck Tinker AFB on March 25th, following a similar path to its predecessor, causing further destruction and damaging an additional 84 planes. Despite the devastation, this event served as a pivotal moment in meteorological history as it demonstrated the effectiveness of newly developed forecasting methods by Air Force forecasters, notably by Lieutenant Colonel Ernest J. Fawbush and Captain Robert C. Miller. This successful forecast marked a significant advancement in tornado prediction and mitigation strategies.