Third Army's weather team is on the job rain or shine

Photo By Giancarlo Casem | Maj. Michael H. Arakelian and Air Force Master Sgt. Richard Lopes make up the Third Army/U.S. Army Central weather team. They provide the command cell with vital information regarding weather conditions.  

10.01.2007

Story by Spc. Christopher Grammer 

50th Public Affairs Detachment

By Pfc. Christopher T. Grammer
Desert Voice staff writer


There are 27 nations in the Third Army/U.S. Army Central area of operations and more than 200,000 personnel. Any change of the weather can affect operations such as training and any convoys bringing supplies to the troops on the battlefield.

Troops on the battlefield can be blinded by sandstorms or become dehydrated when the heat becomes too much. Accurately predicting the weather conditions before an operation is one way to circumvent such problems.

Using various resources to survey the changes in the weather the weather team facilitates mission success.

"Weather is extremely important in today's battlefield especially with all of the complex weapons systems and the different types of aircraft that are employed against the enemy," said Maj. Michael H. Arakelian, the officer in charge of the weather section. "Our work is extremely important to the overall theater weather situation."

If an operation is to be conducted in part of the area of operation, a request is put in to the weather team. The weather team then surveys the weather situation in that area to determine if the operation is possible or if it will be stopped by inclement weather, Arakelian said.

"It is impossible for a military leader to have total control of a battle without predetermining the impacts of weather," said Master Sgt. Richard Lopes. "Accurate forecasts of impending inclement weather can save lives and military equipment."

Lopes, who has been in this line of work all 15 of his enlisted years, is slated to report to Air Force Officer Training School on Dec. 3. Upon completion of his officer training he will forfeit his Senior non-commissioned officer status to be a lieutenant in the same career field.

Arakelian, whose father spent 34 years in the military, follows in his footsteps having spent 33 years in the military himself. With 12 years of experience as a weather officer under his belt, Arakelian has been deployed previously with the 10th Mountain Division Aviation Brigade to provide weather support.

Being a member of the weather team gives service members a chance to serve their country and have a major impact on operations. The experience acquired by the weather team personnel also helps open a window into a civilian career as a meteorologist.

Watching the skies, keeping troops safe and making sure convoys, and equipment get to their destination without being accosted by the elements is a full time job for the military's meteorologists.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2007
• Date Posted: 10.01.2007 14:10
• Story ID: 12654