Airmen forecast the future

Published Feb. 19, 2011
By Staff Sgt. R. Michael Longoria
9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force - Iraq Public Affairs

BAGHDAD -- Battlefield weather Airmen are keeping an eye on the sky and watching the weather in Iraq. They may not be fortune tellers, but these Airmen can tell you that you will need to prepare for wet weather or dust storms five days from now.

In the past year, the 22nd Expeditionary Weather Squadron has conducted more than 37,000 weather observations and provided more than 12,000 forecasts in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

"We are force enablers, infusing weather information into the planning and execution of operations," said Lt. Col. Steven E. Vilpors, 22nd EWXS commander. "We are here to optimize the U.S. forces' ability to complete its mission in Iraq."

The squadron, with 56 Airmen assigned to nine locations scattered throughout the country, supports day-to-day operations for U.S. Forces-Iraq and its subordinate units by providing weather situational awareness through aviation briefings, observations, and by issuing weather watches, warnings and advisories.

"Battlefield weather personnel and products are fully integrated into USF-I operations at all echelons," said Maj. Jason W. Wild, 22nd EWXS director of operations. "Our Airmen are enabling the responsible re-posturing of forces in Iraq and supporting the strategic partnership between the U.S. and the Government of Iraq."

Over the past year, the squadron had its most significant impact during the historic and successful drawdown of forces in the summer of 2010, climatologically the worst weather period of the year.

"Our Airmen forecasted a storm that was going to delay the movement of an entire brigade," Colonel Vilpors said. "Recognizing the delay would significantly derail the USF-I timeline, they provided information and recommended an advanced movement during a short weather window that was indentified before the storm."

USF-I acted on the recommendation and the force was moved four days earlier and departed the country on time.

"This was a perfect example of how the squadron seamlessly provides weather forecasts with operational recommendations having a positive effect on the mission here," Colonel Vilpors said.

Weather Airmen are constantly collecting and disseminating information on the winds, visibility, temperatures, pressure, solar/lunar data, cloud heights and coverage, turbulence, icing and weather phenomena across the country.

This vital data helps pilots and other leaders mitigate aviation hazards and operational weather limitations for missions ranging from troop movement to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, which provide real-time dissemination of critical battlefield information to joint and coalition forces.

"Day to day, we brief aviation weather, which is all-encompassing from the earth's surface up to operating altitudes," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Montenegro, Task Force Observe, Detect, Identify and Neutralize staff weather officer at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq. "We give them all pertinent weather information needed to conduct safe and successful operations."

Starting with an understanding of area climatology, Airmen gather weather data by using various tools, including meteorological satellites and TMQ-53 Weather Observation Systems.

"Part of weather is science," said Capt. Jamie Hansen, a staff weather officer deployed to Iraq from Fort Riley, Kan. "The other part of it is art."

Battlefield weather Airmen do what machines can't; they leverage first-hand observations and relay critical updates of the mission impacts to their supported units.

"Weather observers are absolutely essential for supporting our mission," said Brooklyn, N.Y., native Sergeant Montenegro. "We use their observations to determine the current conditions and changes in the atmosphere over the last 24 hours."

However, teamwork is the biggest key for providing accurate and timely weather information across Iraq.

"The most important tool is a collaborative effort amongst fellow battlefield weather warriors," Sergeant Montenegro said. "Whether it's from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., forecasters or intra-theater SWOs from the 4th Infantry Division, we all work together to accomplish the same goal."

All of this real-time information is used in conjunction with the world's best computer models to provide leadership weather information up to seven days out and allow them to integrate it into the planning and execution of operations.

"There is a greater appreciation for us here," Captain Hansen said. "Airmen are making a difference daily in operations across Iraq."