Photo By Cpl. Joshua Pettway | Sgt. James Christian, a forecaster for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron,...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. - Supporting Fightertown is the goal of every Marine, sailor and civilian who is stationed here. Specifically, ensuring pilots are able to operate their aircraft in the safest flying conditions falls upon forecasters and their weather predictions.
The meteorologist and oceanography analysts, forecasters, of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron act as a liaison to the pilots, according to Sgt. Michael Haas, a forecaster with H&HS. Their primary goal is to accurately provide pilots with information regarding weather conditions allowing them to fly safely.
The forecasters of H&HS provide information for the entire Air Station, according to Haas. Whereas, the forecasters for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., provide weather conditions for the entire East Coast.
Before any aircraft can take off, a flight plan must be made. The flight plan includes a weather brief provided by the forecasters. To come up with the weather brief, forecasters must monitor weather conditions using various tools and use different formulas to predict them.
In the past, forecasters would use weather balloons to find out wind speeds, temperature and humidity. There is also an automated system set up on the air station which warns of potentially dangerous weather conditions.
“We have more advanced ways of predicting the weather than weather balloons now,” Haas said “Our predictions help keep the pilots alive.”
According to Haas, the balloons would send atmospheric information every 12 hours, but with the addition of newer equipment, forecasters are now able to relay information every six hours on a 24-hour period. One of the more important tools forecasters use is the internet radar, which can provide real-time depictions of weather formations allowing for more accurate and faster predictions.
“Our job is vital,” said Cpl. Matthew Wallace, a forecaster with H&HS. “One of the first briefs pilots are given is on the weather. Depending on the conditions, a pilot may or may not fly.”
If a mistake is made, someone’s life is on the line, so making accurate predictions is a must. When flying, weather conditions can affect an aircraft in many different ways.
“If winds are too strong, an [F/A-18 Hornet] could end up flying off course,” Haas said. “Visibility restrictions, rain, mist and fog all effect how well an aircraft will fly. Icing can also greatly affect an aircraft. If ice forms faster than it melts, the weight of a jet, the speed it flies and ability to stay aloft can change.”
All the different changes in the atmosphere and weather drastically affect the aircraft’s ability to fly. The pilot’s lives are indirectly in the hands of the forecasters, and they must have faith in the forecaster’s abilities to predict the weather conditions accurately to avoid unnecessary risks.
The forecasters work to inform Fighertown of the different flag conditions and weather so not only the pilots are safe, but all the Marines, sailors and civilians on Fightertown.
| Date Taken: | 01.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.21.2011 10:37 |
| Story ID: | 63932 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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