Combat Weather Airman

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq ? Air Force Tech. Sgt. Terry Hutton, weather system support cadre team lead, and Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Jamison, weather system support cadre technician, set-up a tactical meteorological weather equipment here July 30, 2009. Both Airmen are responsible for maintaining and repairing 30 of these systems throughout Iraq. The equipment, also known as TMQ-53, is used to obtain pressure, wind speed and direction, temperature, dew point, relative humidity, precipitation, surface visibility, cloud height and lightning detection. Sergeant Hutton is deployed from Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, Fla., and is a native of Enid, Okla. Airman Jamison is also deployed from Hurlburt Field AFB and is a native of Troy, Mich. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar/Released)

Combat Weather Airman

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq ? Air Force Tech. Sgt. Terry Hutton, weather system support cadre team lead, sets-up a tactical meteorological weather equipment here July 30, 2009. Sergeant Hutton is responsible for maintaining and repairing 30 of these systems throughout Iraq. The equipment, also known as TMQ-53, is used to obtain pressure, wind speed and direction, temperature, dew point, relative humidity, precipitation, surface visibility, cloud height and lightning detection. Sergeant Hutton is deployed from Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, Fla., and is a native of Enid, Okla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar/Released)

Preparing a Forecast

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Airman 1st Class Josh Greene, a forecaster with the 28th Operational Weather Squadron here, prepares a terminal aerodrome forecast for Afghanistan. The 28th OWS provides weather products for all branches of the U.S. military and our coalition partners, covering 20 countries spanning thousands of miles on two continents. (Photo by Ryan Hansen)

Preparing a forecast

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Tech. Sgt. Brandon Orr, a forecaster with the Air Combat Command Air Operations Squadron weather flight, prepares a Controlling Mission Execution Forecast recently. (Courtesy photo)

Forecasting Retirement

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Lawrence Baker, head of command weather services here at the Air Force Reserve Command Headquarters, plans to retire March 2 after a combined total of 50 years in both the U.S. Navy and the civil service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sue Sapp)

Meteorology Cadets

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Capt. Paul Homan, instructor of meteorology at the Academy, discusses Meteorological Aviation Reports with a class of cadets here recently. Capt. Homan is a member of the Academy’s meteorology faculty, which includes four officers, one non-commissioned officer and one civilian. (Photo by Ryan Hansen)

South Pole Weather

McMURDO STATION, Antarctica -- Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Patrick Warfel launches a weather balloon during his visit to the South Pole in December. (Courtesy photo)

Broadcast Weather Technician

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Staff Sgt. Rebecca Jones, a broadcast weather technician with the American Forces Network Weather Center here, reads a script for an upcoming AFNWC broadcast. (Photo by Ryan Hansen)

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)

Kunsan Weather Flight

Technical Sgt. Nathan Taylor, 8th Operations Support Squadron, NCOIC of Airfield Weather Element uses a weather tracker to measure environmental conditions at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 22, 2009.Sergeant Taylor is able to read the temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind chill, dew point and many other readings to forecast Kunsan's weather. (US Air Force Photo By Senior Airman Angela Ruiz)

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)