Deployed Forecaster

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Staff Sgt. Ashley Barnett, a weather forecaster for the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, collects data from a TMQ-53 weather sensor to observe conditions and update forecasts at an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia, Oct. 28, 2010. The 386th AEW forecasters work behind the scenes to provide Air Force and Army personnel with accurate, up-to-date forecasts so flying missions can continue in support of operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. Barnett is deployed from Air Mobility Command’s 305th Operations Support Squadron, 305th Air Mobility Wing, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Laura Turner)

Award Winner

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Tech. Sgt. Adam Smith, an applications programmer with the 14th Weather Squadron here, works at his computer on May 3. Sergeant Smith recently earned the Outstanding Communications-Computer Systems NCO of the year award. He will accept the award in a formal ceremony in Washington D.C., next month. (Courtesy photo)

Braving the weather

A team of special operations weather team operators hurry to board a CH-47 Chinook during a training operation for Red Flag-Alaska 10-2 April 15, 2010, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The operators are deploying weather pods that will take several different types of readings that could affect air and ground operations down range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Willard E. Grande II)

Guardsmen forecast weather

SANDSTON, Va. -- Senior Master Sgt. Stephen Gamache and Senior Airman Christopher Tuck track weather systems moving across Virginia during the snow storms that ravaged the region in February 2010. (Photo by Sgt. Andrew H. Owen, Virginia Guard Public Affairs)

Weathering the storm

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 28th Operational Weather Squadron monitors weather patterns within Air Force Central Command's area of responsibility in the Middle East Jan. 26. The meteorological information is used to plan war-fighting missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

Weathering the storm

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Senior Airman Adam Miller, 28th Operational Weather Squadron weather forecaster, views weather patterns within the Middle East Jan. 26. As a part of the new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance cell, observations are used to produce weather forecasts to assist mission planning for unmanned aerial vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

Operation Turbulent Climb

CAMP RED CLOUD, Republic of Korea -- Detachment 1 members ascend the hill while wearing their gas masks during a simulated chemical attack during Operation Turbulent Climb. The exercise trained the Airmen to perform tactical weather tasks in a wartime environment. (Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. William Acevedo)

Operation Turbulent Climb

CAMP RED CLOUD, Republic of Korea -- 1st Lt. Shane Gillies, chief of tactical operations at Detachment 1, 607th Weather Squadron shows, from left to right, Tech. Sgt. Jameel Beasley, Capt. Shawn Hannah and Staff Sgt. Judd Porter how to use the GPS DAGR before the team ascends the hill during Operation Turbulent Climb. (Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. William Acevedo)

Weather or not to fly

Tech. Sgt. John Moore, 4th Operations Support Squadron weather technician, briefs Maj. William Lulay, 4th Fighter Wing safety office, on weather conditions at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Sept 3, 2009. All weather personnel complete a nine-month training course at Keesler Air Force Base and travel to one of the eight weather hubs as a weather observer to receive on-the-job training before becoming a weather forecaster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

Weather or not to fly

Craig Lewis, 4th Operations Support Squadron meteorological technician, looks at a developing low pressure system over Texas and Louisiana that could cause a high pressure system to settle over Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Sept 3, 2009. The high pressure system would bring slightly warmer temperatures and little cloud cover. Mr. Lewis retired from meteorology with the Air Force in 1991 as a Master Sgt. and continues to forecast here as a Department of Defense civilian. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

Special Ceremonies Team

From left to right, Staff Sgt. Nick Case, Capt. Alicia Hughes, Capt. Randy Haeberle and Staff Sgt. Andrew Porden of the 14th Weather Squadron’s Special Ceremonies Team present the colors at a Hope for Wounded Warriors event featuring former Kansas senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole. The SCT serves as both the color guard and honor guard for an area covering almost 20,000 square miles in the Western Carolinas and Eastern Tennessee.

Special Ceremonies Team

From left to right, Staff Sgt. Nick Case, Maj. Dan Wunder, Staff Sgt. Andrew Porden and Tech. Sgt. Rob Hubler of the 14th Weather Squadron’s Special Ceremonies Team present the colors before a NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The SCT serves as both the color guard and honor guard for an area covering almost 20,000 square miles in the Western Carolinas and Eastern Tennessee.