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380AEW Article

380th OSS weather team predicts for successful missions

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Julie Briden-Garcia
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  In Southwest Asia, a successful flying mission relies heavily upon accurate weather data. However, forecasting the weather is very complicated. The 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather office bases their calculations on a combination of observation, experience and a bit of scientific reason.

Capt. William Hennings, 380th OSS weather flight commander, says working in a deployed environment brings hardships - one being their equipment limitations. The current flight line weather instrument suite, the AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System, uses a wind vane, rain gauge, lightning detection system and laser beam ceilometer to collect data on current weather conditions, but this is just the basic set-up.

"The equipment we use here is challenging," said Capt. Henning. "The [radar's] resolution isn't nearly what it is back in the states. It doesn't update as quickly; it doesn't give you the specific movement and density of a shower here."

One advantage forecasters do have here is the Fixed Metrological Equipment-19, or FMQ-19 automatic observation system. This system provides current weather information necessary for airfield safety and force protection. Sensors located on the flight line gather information on temperature, dew point, wind direction and speed, pressure, cloud height and lightning detection and feeds data directly into the weather office. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing is one of only two weather offices in the Area of Responsibility that possesses this half million dollar piece of sensitive equipment.

The FMQ-19 information is essential for the 380th's weather team to provide a mission execution forecast for all flying missions in Southwest Asia. As Master Sgt. Jason Ronsse, 380th EOSS weather flight chief explains, this location has the most diverse set of aircraft in the AOR, and weather can easily make or break a mission, as with the U2S Dragon Lady.

"The cross winds with the U2 are very important," said Sergeant Ronsse. "They come in at a stall and the chase car will relay that information to the pilot. The chase car driver will take a look at his weather monitor and see if the aircraft will hit 15 knot winds (or 18 miles an hour). If so, he'll have to call the pilot off at the last second before landing. The cross winds could potentially blow them off the runway; with the bicycle wheels the aircraft could potentially flip over," he added.

The KC-10 Extender is another aircraft directly affected by weather conditions. Once the temperatures start climbing into the high 90s, the KC-10's fuel capacity diminishes. Just a small shift in the forecasted temperature impacts the tanker's fuel load capacity, and, therefore, the number of missions the crew can support when underway.

Pilots aren't the only ones affected by weather conditions; the base populace and ground crews are impacted as well. High winds--25 to 35 knots--limit flight line maintenance, while winds reaching more than 35 knots restrict their towing capabilities. The thunderstorm with lightning here on April 10 carried 50 knot winds and hail that sent people scrambling for cover.

"Whenever there's lightning within five nautical miles, the Giant Voice goes off and everyone is supposed to go inside and avoid outdoor activities. We're responsible for the safety of the base population," said Capt. Henning.

Predicting the future is impossible, however predicting the weather is what the 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather team does best; the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's flying mission depends on it.