Vicksburg National Military Park

VICKSBURG, Miss. -- A tour guide from the Vicksburg National Military Park here discusses the Illinois state memorial with members of the 26th Operational Weather Squadron April 29. The monument has 60 unique bronze tablets and lining its interior are the names of the Illinois soldiers that participated in the battle. Officers and senior non-commissioned officers from the squadron toured the battlefield to build camaraderie and a stronger working relationship. (Photo by Senior Airman Alexandra M. Sandoval)

Vicksburg National Military Park

VICKSBURG, Miss. -- During a tour of the Vicksburg National Military Park here April 29, Master Sgt. Anthony Morence, 26th Operational Weather Squadron, reads the names of the 36,325 Illinois soldiers that participated in the battle. Officers and senior non-commissioned officers from the squadron toured the battlefield to build camaraderie and a stronger working relationship. (Photo by Senior Airman Alexandra M. Sandoval)

Academy weather

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Richard Kalber, an observer with the 306th Operational Support Squadron weather flight here, performs quality control on an Air Force Form 3813 recently. (Photo by Ryan Hansen)

Academy weather

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Jeff Rosbach, a forecaster with the 306th Operational Support Squadron weather flight here, prepares a mission execution forecast recently. (Photo by Ryan Hansen)

African American History Month

GODMAN FIELD, Ky. -- Lt. John Willis briefs a B-25 aircrew before a mission in the summer of 1945. More than 50 African-American's served as weather forecasters and observers while more than 10 served as meteorological aviation officers during World War II. This ground breaking group served with both the 332nd Fighter Group and 477th Bomb Group during World War II.

African American History Month

More than 50 African-American's served as weather forecasters and observers while more than 10 served as meteorological aviation officers during World War II. This ground breaking group served with both the 332nd Fighter Group and 477th Bomb Group.

Rocking for a good cause

SEMBACK AIR BASE, Germany -- Members of the Griswold's, from left to right, Tech. Sgt. Steve McConnell, Staff Sgt. Russell Beye, Staff Sgt. Mike Daniels and Airman 1st Class Paul Weathersby, perform at a local pub to support the Landstuhl Medical Center’s Fisher House. The four Airmen are members of the 21st Operational Weather Squadron here and together with Staff Sgt. Ben Comer, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, raised $1,500 for the nonprofit organization. (Courtesy photo)

Kunsan Weather Flight

Staff Sgt. Adrian Jackson, 8th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Weather Flight, makes a a visual observation of the air field at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 22, 2009. Sergeant Jackson provides the pilots with the visibility for that day so they can plan their missions accordingly.(US Air Force Photo By Senior Airman Angela Ruiz)

Weather flight forecasts ensure mission efficiency

Staff Sgt. Kevin Fedon, a weather forecaster assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron at an air base in Southwest Asia, checks weather readouts, including temperature, wind speed, wind direction and precipitation, at a remote weather sensor. The weather readings are put into a weather model to help predict weather patterns and are used for daily reports to aircrews preparing for missions. Sergeant Fedon is a native of Lincoln, Neb., and is an Air National Guardsman deployed from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette)

Weather flight forecasts ensure mission efficiency

Staff Sgt. Kevin Fedon, a weather forecaster assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron at an air base in Southwest Asia, checks weather readouts, including temperature, wind speed, wind direction and precipitation, at a remote weather sensor. The weather readings are put into a weather model to help predict weather patterns and are used for daily reports to aircrews preparing for missions. Sergeant Fedon is a native of Lincoln, Neb., and is an Air National Guardsman deployed from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael Boquette)

Honor Air Flight

Washington D.C. -- Former Kansas Senator and World War II veteran Bob Dole poses for a picture with Tech. Sgt. Lois Ellingson, Phillip Organ Jr. and Travis Robinson during their Honor Air flight to the World War II Memorial Sept. 27. Sergeant Ellingson served as an Honor Air guardian for Mr. Organ and Mr. Robinson who were Soldiers during World War II. (Courtesy photo)

Weather plays a vital role

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Tech. Sgt. Michael Mazucci-Mambala, Operations Support Group weather forecaster, explains how the Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMQ53) works Sept.9. Even with today’s modern equipment, Langley pilots are still subject to weather observers giving the go-ahead before aerial sorties can be accomplished. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. April Wickes)