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CNN Live At Daybreak
Columbia Shuttle Tragedy: Recovery Efforts in Texas
Aired February 03, 2003 - 06:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Most of what's being found across East Texas and into Louisiana is debris of the shuttle itself, but also some human remains are being found.
We get more from our Mike Brooks, who joins us live from the recovery command center at Barksdale Air Force Base.
It's so grizzly to talk about, but we've go to do it. So, Mike, fill us in.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is very grizzly to talk about, Carol, but we do have to talk about it, and we'll talk about that in just a moment.
But as the search for debris goes on, yesterday, the independent Columbia accident investigation board started meeting here at Barksdale Air Force Base. This board is being chaired by retired four star Admiral Harold Gehman. Admiral Gehman headed up the investigation into the USS Cole bombing.
This board is being made up of representatives of the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the Department of Transportation, FAA and one senior NASA official.
Now, the imperative of this board -- there are two that the admiral says that they have -- is one, is to find out what happened for the safety of the astronauts that will continue in the shuttle program, and secondly, to find out what happened quickly for the sake of the astronauts still in orbit in the space station who are relying on the findings of the board.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADM. HAROLD GEHMAN (RET.), INVESTIGATION CHIEF: We will look at everything from broken, twisted metal and metallurgy up to top-level management practices and policies. We will work rapidly but diligently.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROOKS: And, Carol, as you said, yesterday the remains of some of the astronauts started to be brought here to Barksdale Air Force Base by Blackhawk helicopter. It's a grim task for pathologists to try to identify the remains of the astronauts to try to give some closure to their families -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Understand. Mike Brooks, thanks so much. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 3, 2003 - 06:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Most of what's being found across East Texas and into Louisiana is debris of the shuttle itself, but also some human remains are being found.
We get more from our Mike Brooks, who joins us live from the recovery command center at Barksdale Air Force Base.
It's so grizzly to talk about, but we've go to do it. So, Mike, fill us in.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is very grizzly to talk about, Carol, but we do have to talk about it, and we'll talk about that in just a moment.
But as the search for debris goes on, yesterday, the independent Columbia accident investigation board started meeting here at Barksdale Air Force Base. This board is being chaired by retired four star Admiral Harold Gehman. Admiral Gehman headed up the investigation into the USS Cole bombing.
This board is being made up of representatives of the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the Department of Transportation, FAA and one senior NASA official.
Now, the imperative of this board -- there are two that the admiral says that they have -- is one, is to find out what happened for the safety of the astronauts that will continue in the shuttle program, and secondly, to find out what happened quickly for the sake of the astronauts still in orbit in the space station who are relying on the findings of the board.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADM. HAROLD GEHMAN (RET.), INVESTIGATION CHIEF: We will look at everything from broken, twisted metal and metallurgy up to top-level management practices and policies. We will work rapidly but diligently.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROOKS: And, Carol, as you said, yesterday the remains of some of the astronauts started to be brought here to Barksdale Air Force Base by Blackhawk helicopter. It's a grim task for pathologists to try to identify the remains of the astronauts to try to give some closure to their families -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Understand. Mike Brooks, thanks so much. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
