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Weather Squadron Forecasts Vital To Mission Planning at 332 AEW/EOSS Weather Flight
By unitedweroll on Jun 21, 2010 | In Military News and Support
During last week's show (6/15), we had a great visit with Maj Eric Christensen, 332nd Weather Flight Commander, and SSG Greg Spiker, also deployed to the 332nd Weather Flight team. It was a very informative and interesting visit as we learned even more than in previous visits about things that can effect weather, from moisture in the soil, type of soil and more.
If you missed this great visit, you can still hear it by scrolling to the June 15th United We Roll show in our Archive Site (www.stardustradio.info). And this article will bring you a bit of information , too.
Weather squadron forecasts vital to mission planning
by Senior Airman Wes Carter
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
5/1/2010 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- When a pilot sits in the cockpit of an aircraft, it becomes his domain. Before takeoff, pilots will review checklists and ensure that everything in their control is optimal for takeoff. However, there is one thing that pilots can't control: the weather.
One of the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron's Weather Flight's missions is to inform pilots and base leadership on the day-to-day weather forecast. Their forecasts are used to plan flight schedules and allocate mission resources.
"Our mission is to make sure everyone gets accurate weather information," said Maj. Eric Christensen, 332nd weather flight commander. "We have to make sure that pilots taking off and landing understand the conditions so they can adjust."
"It's extremely important to have an accurate weather forecast," said 1st Lt. Richard Brown, a 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron MC-12 pilot. "The weather here is so dynamic and changes quickly. We need a weather report to plan missions for fuel and whether we can take off or land."
Although having a weather report before takeoff is important, the pilots can also help the weather squadron get a more accurate report.
"As pilots fly in between different layers of the atmosphere they can report back and give us a different perspective of the weather picture," Major Christensen said.
The weather at JBB is different than most places in the United States, but it is not unique.
"The weather here is a lot like West Texas," Major Christensen said. "We have a short season of rain and a lot of dust and heat during the summer season."
There is so much dust that it is one of the biggest concerns the weather team focuses on when a forecast is prepared.
"We are about to hit Shamal," said Major Christensen. "The word literally translates to wind, but it is a season from late May through July where we will have a steady 25 mile per hour wind almost every day -- the wind will bring dust. Although the season is a concern for pilots, forecasts can be used to ensure the mission isn't affected."
The 8-man team works around the clock deciphering weather reports from the Air Force Weather Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Those reports are added to the information they have obtained from their radar and different civilian agencies to make the clearest weather picture.
"Forecasting the weather conditions can be tricky," Major Christensen said. "It is a lot more than simply meteorology. You have to take in account moisture, soil type and many other variables that affect the weather."
No matter where an Airman goes in the Air Force, weather will be a factor in everything that is done. JBB's weather squadron continues to ensure that Balad's missions aren't stopped by wind, dust or anything else mother nature throws their way.
