United We Roll at Stardust Radio

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.

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Brimberry
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 2:19 PM
Subject: [UWR] New comment on "What Days Should I Fly My Flag?"

Blog: UWR
Post: What Days Should I Fly My Flag?
Why Mother's Day but not Father's Day?

Paul, this is a very good question and I intend to look into it a bit further. My first guess kind of goes along with America, Mom & Apple Pie - but that is certainly no official response. Thank you for your input and I hope to have an answer soon. Perhaps another of our readers already has this information.
Judi

If you are not going to fly your flag every day, then here is a list of official days when you should.

The flag should be displayed, from sunrise to sunset, on all days when the weather permits, especially on,
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - January 19
Inauguration Day - January 20(every 4th year)
Lincoln's Birthday - February 12
Presidents Day - February 15
Washington's Birthday - February 22
Easter Sunday -
Patriots Day, April 19
National Day of Prayer, the 1st Thursday of May
Mother's Day - the 2nd Sunday in May
Armed Forces Day - May 15
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) - May 30 (Observed on last Monday in May)
Flag Day - June 14
Independence Day - July 4
Coast Guard Day - August 4
Labor Day - 1st Monday in September
Constitution Day - September 17
Air Force Day - September 18
Columbus Day - October 12
Navy Day - October 13
Marine Corps Day - November 10
Veterans Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - last Thursday in November
Christmas Day - December 25
Election Days

and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States.
State and Local Holidays
Your State Birthday (date of admission to the Union)

State Birthdays are listed here:
http://arradondo.com/flag/flagholidays.html

United We Roll World Tour Show
Stardust Radio www.stardustradio.com
Tuesday 6/15/10 2:00pm – 4:00pm Central (Live)
Wednesday 6/16/10 6:30pm – 8:30pm Central (Repeat)

Welcome Stardust Listeners and thank you for joining us on United We Roll this Tuesday, the 8th day of June, 2010 as we take time to honor those who serve our country and who protect our freedom!!

Our annual Flag Day fell on Monday, June 14th. I hope we were all able to put our flags out in front of our houses, businesses and wherever possible to show our pride of country and our appreciation to be Americans, free only by the gift of freedom from those who serve to protect it every day in locations from around the world. I am putting a list of dates when the flag should be flown - though everyday sounds good to me, weather and lighting permitting. And I am also including the flag ettiquette which will probably answer any questions about things like can I leave my flag out at night and so on.

Now, on to the show - We have two very in depth visits with 4 of our special guests who are currently serving in Iraq and Kyrgzystan to share with you all. The show will stay within our normal 2 hour period, ending at 4:00pm. Remember, if you are not able to stay with us through the show this afternoon, it will repeat again tomorrow evening, Wednesday, June 16th at 6:30pm Central. In addition, an MP3 copy will be placed on our show archive site for listening and downloading. You can reach our archive site at www.stardustradio.info or on the United We Roll page at www.stardustradio.com.

(2:09pm) During our first visit today, we will be talking with two members of the 332nd EOSS (that is Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron)/Weather Flight. Joining us are Weather Flight Commander Maj Eric Christensen and SSG Greg Spiker who are professionals in the weather arena and will explain so many interesting facets of what makes the weather act the way it does and much more. We will learn the meaning of the words Shamal, Haboob and Verga and how they can effect pilots as well as troops on the ground.

(3:03pm) During our next visit, we will be talking with some deployed members who are busy taking care of those with whom they serve. SSG Ryan Rubino and SSG Jeremy McDonnell are currently deployed with the 376th EMDG (that is Expeditionary Medical Group) where they provide a very wide range of medical care from sports injuries, allergies which are very high there, cardiac issues and taking care of some of our wounded as they travel through on their way for more treatment and/or to home. There is so much to talk about in this visit and you will clearly hear the love and concern these two special young men have for those in their care. I find it comforting to know that they and others like them are there to help our loved ones if needed. I hope you all do, too.

Ladies & Gentlemen, we wish to thank all of you for joining us today and we hope that you will be with us again next week when we will have more great visits from our Heroes of Freedom.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all of our military members, families, Veterans and to all of our first responders & their families - everyone who puts their lives on hold and on the line for us and our families.

We would like to remind our Veterans, active duty members, family members and anyone who is interested in health and legislative issues that affect those who protect our freedom to tune in to our other broadcasts – OFFE with Gene Simes and Jere Berry at 8pm Central on Tuesday nights and also with Rick Townsend and Firebase Network Sundays at 6:00pm Central.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL & MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!