Weather Flight proves its worth in gold

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Bradley Lail
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  With America at war, the summer heat rising, and hurricane season in full effect, the 6th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight continues to excel in monitoring the weather conditions at MacDill as well as various locations around the world. They provide both the warfighter and base personnel with current and forecast weather. 

"A typical day for forecasters at the Weather Flight consists of taking and disseminating surface weather observations and mission execution forecasts to whomever may need it" said Tech. Sgt Jerrod Webb, NCO in charge of Weather Flight operations. 

With the information the Weather Flight provides, the 91st Air Refueling Squadron can tailor their KC-135/R Stratotanker operations to enhance the effectiveness of the mission both here and abroad. 

"They are absolutely integral to our mission" said Lt. Col. Charles Howard, 91st ARS operations officer. "From the time we take off, to air refueling to our return back to home station, they are there to help us. Without the Weather Flight we can't do our mission." 

They play a big part in the decision to relocate aircraft assigned to the base during hurricane evacuations and are vital to deployment operations to various locations around the area of responsibility.

Furthermore, the Weather Flight also has a hand in local forecasting, current heat index reports for work/rest cycles and lightening watch reports.

"Forecasters take hourly weather observations," added Sergeant Webb. "The information is then provided to the Command Post so they can disseminate it to MacDill members." 

"Important weather information wouldn't be available to MacDill operations without the Weather Flight" said Staff Sgt. Amanda Faso, 6th Air Mobility Wing Command Post senior controller. 

During hurricane season the Weather Flight's mission changes. In addition to monitoring the weather in the local area, they begin paying close attention to the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. When a storm develops the Weather Flight briefs the current storm position and forecasted track of the storm to wing leadership. Leadership than uses any information provided to make key decisions and preparations regarding storms that could severely impact MacDill. 

Weather for a particular installation tends to follow similar patterns, especially over long periods of time. Climatology is the study of the history of weather for a particular location. Forecasters use climatology as a tool to help forecast for the future. 

In 2004 the MacDill area was affected by four hurricanes (Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances, Hurricane Ivan, and Hurricane Jeanne). The Weather Flight produced more than 130 tropical weather advisories and provided more than 40 wing Crisis Action Team briefings. 

"Our biggest concern is June and July," said Weather Flight chief, Master Sgt. John Dick. "Those are the months that storms develop in the Gulf of Mexico. We are at a high risk for flooding here on base during these times. We are preparing for a pretty active hurricane season this year." 

With all of the responsibilities the Weather Flight has, there's no doubt that they continue to play an imperative role in accomplishing the Air Force mission providing critical information to the people of MacDill.