Controllers get surprise visit from evacuee Published Oct. 19, 2005 By Lanorris Askew 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFMCNS) -- Just days before Hurricane Katrina made landfall devastating the Gulf Coast region, Latifa Johnson gathered her children, packed a few belongings and trekked from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., to the safety of Robins Air Force Base, Ga.What the wife and mother of three - ages 12, 6 and 4 - thought would be at most a weekend stay has since turned into a three-week wait in an unfamiliar area where she depends on the kindness of those who, less than a month ago, were complete strangers."We thought we'd be home in a couple of days," she said seated in the Robins temporary lodging facility where she awaits word of a possible return home date. "We packed enough clothing for three days and told my husband we'd see him on Monday."After watching television reports of the damage to her home base and city she was desperate to contact her husband, an air traffic controller with the 81st Operational Support Flight. To do so she sought the help of the 78th Operational Support Squadron here."Since my husband is an air traffic controller at Keesler, I was reluctant to call anyone else so I called them to see if they could help," said Mrs. Johnson.Because the DSN lines were the only communication lines working and contact with the tower was nearly impossible, they were her best shot. And, although that initial call was simply for help contacting her husband, it resulted in much more.Twenty minutes after she hung up the phone, Master Sgt. Renee Jackson was on her way over with words of comfort, food, clothing and toys for the kids."It was really nice," said Mrs. Johnson. "Not so much for the material things, but just knowing that you're not alone and that someone kind of sympathizes with you."Sergeant Jackson said the 78th OSS is a family that takes care of family."When we heard that one of our own was in need, everyone stepped up to the plate and assisted the Johnsons during this trying time," she said. "Today all our Airmen understand that someday this might be them and hope that other members of the OSS organization would step up and help them."Mrs. Johnson said she has no idea how long her family will be here, but Robins has made her feel at home away from home. In the midst of her struggle she reached out to those who had supported her in the best way she could. In a surprise gesture, she climbed to the top of the OSS tower Sept. 16 to deliver treats to the squadron members."The tower appreciates Mrs. Johnson's generous heart because we see how little people have left and the hard times of trying to replace what was lost and get their lives back to some kind of normalcy," said Sergeant Jackson on behalf of the squadron. "Mrs. Johnson will always be a part of the 78th OSS and we will help her in anything she or anyone else might need."The experience with Robins has been a good one. In spite of being uprooted she said the people and services at Robins have been top-notch."We were some of the first evacuees to arrive here, and I was very surprised at how quickly everyone responded," she said. "Even though they weren't prepared for us at first they were able to get the children in to school very quickly. It took two or three days and everything was rolling in an effort to give some sense of normalcy. I was very grateful for that."Although her days have their dark points like dealing with the insurance company, she said the atmosphere here makes it a little bit easier."Everyone is very friendly," she said. "I never remembered names at my base, but in this situation I'm remembering everyone's name who has helped me out."She said that includes the sergeant in finance, to the staff at the family support center and Tricare, even the bagger at the commissary.