HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 49th Operations Group weather flight at Holloman Air Force Base supported Operation Inherent Resolve in January 2016 by sending three of its weather warriors to Southwest Asia.
Senior Master Sgt. Anthony, a flight chief with the 49th Operations Support Squadron weather flight, Staff Sgt. Jonathan, a weather craftsman and Senior Airman Steven, a weather journeyman, diligently watched over the forecast and conditions to support the warfighting mission during OIR.
“We were there in the winter time,” Jonathan said. “So there were a lot of aircraft that we were supporting that were very sensitive to the weather,” Jonathan said. “And we were there to mitigate the hazards.”
The weather squadron supported fighter aircraft and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets. Weather operations played a key role in mission effectiveness.
“In order for them to put bombs on targets, we’re a big piece of that," Anthony said. “Something as simple as the wind being off by 10 knots would put the bomb in the wrong location.”
The weather career field is constantly evolving, and is an ever-changing experience.
“The best thing about the job is that every day is different,” Jonathan said. “It’s always dynamic--things always changing. You might have one day where it’s beautiful, the next day severe thunderstorms. It keeps you on your toes.”
The U.S. Air Force weather warriors are an indispensable part of the mission.
“That particular region of the world does not have very good weather sensing capabilities,” said Anthony. “So we add a huge boon to the fight. For instance, we were the only weather radar site in OIR, so as long as you’ve got at least an Air Force weather guy there, you can go anywhere in the world, and provide that type of service, regardless of whether the host nation has it or not.”
Wherever they are in the world, Holloman’s weather warriors support the warfighter with pride.
“Being integrated into the mission is pretty cool,” said Jonathan. “Seeing the impact that we have on operations is highly rewarding.”