Weather flight learning to read the clouds in Kyrgyzstan

An unseasonal thunderstorm clears just as the sun sets over the flightline at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, where KC-135 Stratotanker aircrews waited out the worst of the lightning before taking off. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lara Gale)

Weather flight learning to read the clouds in Kyrgyzstan

Staff Sgt. Robert Cook watches a storm move south at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. The weather flight transmits updates every 15 minutes during weather events such as a thunderstorm, based on satellite images and their physical observation of the skies overhead. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lara Gale)

Weather squadron keeps eyes on the sky

Airman Eric Reichwaldt observes weather data to help predict situations that might affect the Air Force mission. Computers show information about weather patterns for a more accurate weather forecast. He is a regional forecaster apprentice with the 26th Operational Weather Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Otero)

Women weather down stereotypes

First Lt. Alexia Forbes and Senior Airman Jackie Miller train with fellow combat weatherman at the 18th Air Support Operations Group at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dave Davenport)

Washington weatherman

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Retired Master Sgt. Dave Law, broadcast weatherman, KHQ6, Spokane, Wash., uses leading edge technologies to bring weather forecasts into the homes of Americans Jan. 6. During his 23 years of service he forecasted the weather for pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan)

Front line forecast

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- Staff Sgt. Jody Ball releases a weather balloon during a special operations' weather team exercise near the base. Sergeant Ball is a weatherman with the 10th Combat Weather Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chief Master Sgt. Gary Emery)

Weather warriors

Capt. Don Garrett, 10th Combat Weather Squadron, leads a special operations weather team during training near Hurlburt Field, Fla. Special operations meteorologists provide weather information to operators from thoughout the U.S. Special Operations Command.

Wilma's progress

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- This satellite photo, provided by the Air Force Weather Agency here, shows the status of Hurricane Wilma as of 8:25 a.m. EST, today. The image captures the Category 2 storm off the coast of Florida. The center of the storm's eye about 75 miles northeast from Miami. A Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite took the image, and is actually a composite of two satellite images. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Weather update

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Tech. Sgt. Damion Madison (right) and Staff Sgt. Daniel Hayes inspect a tactical meteorological observation system during training at the flightline here. The system is a collection of weather sensors connected to a computer and Iridium data modem that measure cloud base, surface pressure, temperatures, dew points, wind speed and density altitude. It provides near-real-time mission-critical weather date to war planners and decision makers. Both Airmen are members of the 374th Operations Support Squadron combat weather team here. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

Crazy take off

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A Weatherscout weather unmanned aerial vehicle takes off on a test flight Oct. 18. Pilots launch the 30-pound aircraft from cars at 40 mph. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael S. Dorus)

Eglin spared as Hurricane Dennis flexes

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Airmen from the 46th Weather Squadron's monitored Hurricane Dennis from the time it was named a hurricane in the Caribbean. The hurricane passed over the base July 10 but caused no major damages. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mike Meares)

Weather forecasters provide support in Kosovo

PRISTINA, Serbia and Montenegro -- Staff Sgt. Patricia Ballou reads weather data from tactical weather equipment that aids in remote weather forecasting observations here. Sergeant Ballou is a weather forecaster deployed to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo supporting Operation Joint Guardian. She is deployed from the California Air National Guard's 195th Weather Flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Carla Williams)