Local Soldiers React to Ft Hood Shootiing

While their loved ones are overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan worry is a part of everyday life for military families.

When they are back on base life is calmer and more serene.

After what happened at Fort Hood, that peaceful feeling may be gone forever.

The line to get inside Hunter Army Airfield Thursday night is 15 deep.

Each car, each driver checked more carefully than just a few hours ago, the result of the Ft. Hood shooting.

Security that is a welcome sight to soldiers and their families on base. A few extra minutes is worth their safety.

“You should feel peaceful and enjoying our families once we’re here,“ said Staff Sgt Dedrick King.

Staff Sergeant Dedrick King and his wife Andrea never worried before.. until now.

“We could have been there,“ wondered Andrea King.

Stationed at Hunter, the Kings chose to live off base for the first time, and now are happy they did.

“I felt safe living there on post,“ said Andrea. “Now you don’t feel safe anywhere.“

“Being shot on your own base, on a military installation. That’s pretty extreme.“

An extreme feeling made even stronger for Angel Irwin because she and her husband are from Texas, used to be stationed at Ft Hood, and are about to go back to the base again in January.

“We just left that place,“ explained Irwin. “It’s kind of a big deal to have to go back and think about could it happen again.“

Angel says she’s lived through 3 deployments, but now is shaken and frightened.. for herself, her husband, and her kids.

“They carry guns around. What kind of job can you have a list of names and a weapon you take to work and no one questions you?“

Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield are both on heightened alert tonight and say they will be reviewing all their safety procedures in the days after the attack.