Weather Forecasters Play Vital Role in Ensuring Flight Safety
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Volume 24, No. 11 NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen 13 June 2008 Weather forecasters play vital role in ensuring flight safety Forecaster Mr. Günter Tychsen informs Trainer Cargo Aircraft pilots at the briefing desk. Photo Global Aviation Review By SMSgt. Johan Hijmenberg He and his colleagues use all this produce a local weather forecast,” on the missions they fly, between information to produce the weather he says. When he is finished he takes compiling a weather package for a “When the bees all fly home, forecast. On both side walls in the me to the ‘museum’ area located helicopter and preparing one for a rain showers will cover the skies”; forecasters’ room the short and long- in the communication office. Four cargo aircraft,” explains Heeren. “All “When the leaves become yellow and term forecasts and analysis charts are systems provide the huge volume of them have their specific missions.” twisted, light up your stove”; “Beware pinned to the wall. In front of him of meteorology data. Displayed on On request the branch also provides of mosquitoes in February; Keep and Mr. Fred Heeren, who is assisting the wall is the 26-year history of the weather information to the local your ears warm in March”. Some him for this shift, nine computer Branch, like the tornado that hit the authorities. “During wintertime weather aphorisms from the old monitors are placed on the desks in a base on 14 July 1985. “Did you know Heinsberg district is especially days. Although these sayings contain half circle. From here the forecasters that the main street on base had trees interested in getting our forecast for some truth, they aren’t good enough also have a direct view of the flight along it until then?” De Wolff asks. road conditions, so that appropriate to provide a basis for sending the line. The duty shift consists of three No, I didn’t, but photos of the toppled action can be taken,” De Wolff adds. AWACS aircraft into the air. persons, two in the forecasters’ trees show that he is right. The pilots have much more faith room and one in the observer room, The branch has a safety function in the Meteorology Branch on base, halfway up in the Tower. The primary task of the too. It warns on-base organizations situated under the Air Traffic Control Meteorology Branch is to support about extreme weather conditions. Tower. In this area all meteorology The shifts run from late evening the flying squadrons and inform Strong and gusts of wind can data from around the world are on Sundays until the end of flying leadership, including Force endanger operations on the ground. sampled. “Every day we receive five on Fridays. Obviously, when there is Command, about expected weather Also hailstorms and thunderstorms gigabytes of data,” says Mr. Rob de flying during the weekends they are conditions. In addition they provide are a hazard for people working on Wolff, Forecaster and Branch Chief. on-station as well. When I enter the the crews of visiting aircraft with the ground. “Since October last year we received Branch De Wolff is just preparing the latest weather updates. “Of 25 million messages.” the forecast. “Every three hours we course there is a difference, based Continued on page 3 Next NATO Skywatch: Farewell 27 June Col. 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As a result, three years and nine months. progress is sometimes very difficult On that note, it is difficult for me to achieve. But when it really to leave the Component at a time Looking back, it has been a matters, all differences are put aside when the positions of a number of challenging period even though the as Component personnel show their its personnel are threatened by the Component has not been involved true qualities and make the system outcome of the NATO Command in any major NATO operations. work better than you would ever Structure Review. I sincerely hope Reaching Limited Operational have believed to be possible. It is an that NATO decision makers will Capability with the NMT aircraft amazing process that can drive you recognize in time that, although the and Full Operational Capability as from despair to euphoria in a matter E-3A Component has the status of a a permanent element of the NATO of minutes. Sometimes frustrating, military headquarters, it is in fact an Response Force, whilst conducting but extremely rewarding at the same operational unit. A reduction of its numerous high visibility events, time. It is an experience I will never PE will therefore directly affect the three Consolidated Inspections forget. operational output of one of NATO’s plus a Capeval, celebrating the most vital assets. Although NATO’s Component’s 25th anniversary I realize full well that the mission has changed significantly and finally conducting the NATO Component would never have since the Cold War, the NATO Command Structure Review, kept been able to achieve its excellent Airborne Early Warning & Control us all more than busy. Additionally, results without the professionalism, Force has not lost any of its military the long awaited tree cutting dedication and loyalty of its relevance. It is for that reason that in the Schinveld forest and the personnel. It is truly people that airborne early warning assets have re-engining discussion provided make this Component work! I am played a key role in every NATO political challenges all of their particularly grateful to all E-3A operation over the last two decades. own. Completing all these tasks Component and Force Command This is also clearly reflected by the simultaneously is already unheard of personnel for the unconditional interest still being displayed by new overcome its current challenges as in a national Air Force, but it is a true support I have received in doing NATO members wanting to join this well. I may no longer be a member miracle that we managed to pull it my job and for the good and well program. of that team, but a part of my heart off so successfully in our much more meant advice I have received from will remain in Geilenkirchen forever.