Meteorologists in Bosnia-Herzegovina
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Volume 2, No 7 Friday, March 1, 1996 the Operation Joint Endeavor, Bosnia-Herzegovina Serving the soldiers of Task Force Eagle METEOROLOGISTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Weather frost or sun, forecasters at work By Spc. RICK ROTHTalon Once airborne, the radio 29th MPAD transmitter constantly relays data. A receiver on the ground eather forecasts processes the information and in the multina- prints the results every five sec- tional sector of onds. The balloon’s flight, last- Bosnia originate ing about 1 hour, 30 minutes, W ends when the pressure inside with the workings of “Jack” Frost. Senior Airman Bruce A. the balloon becomes too great in Frost, who is nicknamed “Jack,” comparison to the pressure out- is on the ground at Eagle Base, side and fi- gathering important data used nally bursts, in forecasting weather through- letting the out the theater transmitter Frost is a meteorologist with unit fall to the U.S. Air Force’s 2617th the ground. Weather Squadron who has Pfc. been in Bosnia since late De- Adrienne cember. He is attached to U.S. King, a field King Army’s 1st Armored Division’s artillery me- Headquarters and Headquar- teorologist with 1st Armored ters Company, which is based Division Artillery, Headquar- in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. ters and Headquarters Battery, “So far, Baumholder, Germany, de- the biggest ployed to Bosnia with Frost to thing that gather information used by the stops air artillery. Wind speed, air pres- traffic into sure and temperature can affect Tuzla is poor the direction of artillery fire. visibility,” The information on the meteo- said Frost, a rological conditions is then used Frost to make corrections for firing, native of Spc. Rick Roth King said. Wilton, Maine. “Trying to learn Senior Airman Bruce “Jack” Frost and Pfc. Adrienne “If they need to fire, they this area’s weather patterns King carry a weather balloon to the launch site. has been the most difficult want to be able to (accurately) thing here.” midity and wind speed. The de- Normally the balloon will fire for effect right off,” said Frost uses a disposable, bat- vice, weighing about 11 ounces, reach an average altitude of King, a native of West Palm tery-powered radio transmitting is then attached to a hydrogen- 35,000 feet. However, Frost said Beach, Fla. device that measures tempera- filled balloon and released into one balloon he released here ture, air pressure, dew point, hu- the atmosphere. climbed as high as 52,000 feet. See WEATHER, page 8 COMMENTARY ........... 2 Seabees receive Army awards TANKER SARGE ......... 3 By Spc. BILL GALLAGHER Col. Gregory R. Fontenot, 1st Bri- 358th MPAD gade commander, awarded five TRANSLATORS ........... 4 Army Commendation Medals and BOB KIME — Fourteen members FORCE PROTECTION nine Army Achievement Medals to ..... 5 of the U.S. Naval Mobile Construc- the Seabees. tion Battalion No. 133, otherwise MCR ON THE JOB ........ 6 Following the award presenta- known as Seabees, have been tion, Fontenot told the sailors PERSONALITY PAGE ...... 7 awarded Army medals for their work their work and dedication helped supporting the “Ready First Combat SURVIVING STRESS the mission. ....... 8 Team” (1st Brigade) serving in Op- Inside eration JOINT ENDEAVOR. See Seabees, page 8 Page 2 The Talon Friday, March 1, 1996 From the top Leaders, enforce safe convoy practices I’ve heard a lot of rization. Period. ing if they were wearing their Make sure you have commu- comments about my And now on to a proper equipment, i.e., their nication, not only with the ve- new name after a pet peeve of mine. kevlar and body armor. hicles in your convoy, but also Feb. 21 story in The I passed a con- Noncommissioned officers and with your higher headquarters. Stars and Stripes voy the other day leaders, it is your job to enforce We all understand the com- quoted me as Com- where most of the strict uniform policies, making manding general’s rule that says mand Sgt. Maj. troops had their sure your soldiers wear their hel- soldiers who are in a stopped ve- Jack “Finney” helmets off, some mets with the chin straps properly hicle longer than 2 minutes, 30 sec- Command Sgt. Maj. (Tilley). were sleeping and secured under the chin. onds must hop out and clean the Well, everyone Jack L. Tilley their vehicle wind- And what about sleeping? windshield. Bosnia has many needs a good laugh 1st Armored shields were Everyone knows riding in a ve- mines, and a clean windshield will every now and then, Division filthy, obstructing hicle can make you drowsy but help you clearly see your location, and I suppose I’ve the drivers’ vision. don’t doze while riding in a con- including any mines that could be had mine. The story focused on Riding without helmets indi- voy. Tell your soldiers to unzip located alongside the road. the possibility that the alcohol cates soldiers are getting compla- windows to get fresh air, and if Leaders, I believe that disci- drinking ban on U.S. troops may cent, which is a dangerous trend. they get tired, have them stop pline is what your soldiers do when eventually be lifted. What if someone along the their vehicles and get out to no one is looking. When soldiers In case anyone has any ques- road fired celebratory shots, as stretch. But make sure to main- understand the standards you tions about that policy, let me some local Bosnians have been tain security. And ensure your have set and see they are being clarify it for you. The rule re- known to do? If shots hit one of soldiers do not use personal tape enforced, they will comply. But if mains no drinking until the com- your vehicles, your troops would player/radios that could impede you don’t set them, your troops manding general gives the autho- have a better chance of surviv- their hearing. won’t follow them. From the commander To the men and women of the Implementation Force Feb. 18 was D+60 and the Equally important is that the manitarian organizations and alert. I know you will. 60,000 IFOR force is set! manner in which you have per- agencies. The challenge is to get Again, my congratulations Congratulations to each of formed your duties is indicative economic reconstruction, elec- on the manner in which the you on this historic accomplish- of your professionalism, pride tions, water, electricity, hu- force was deployed by D+60 and ment. It was a total effort by Al- and commitment. manitarian organizations, po- the professional way you are ex- lied Command Europe and With the force set, lice and other essential civilian ecuting your mission on the many non-NATO nations who COMIFOR, COMARRC and the agencies up and running in or- ground as well as on the sea and have joined us in Operation multinational division com- der to create momentum for in the air. You are setting the JOINT ENDEAVOR. manders will continue to ex- peace in Bosnia and offer hope conditions for a successful Together we have deployed ecute the military tasks of the to the people. peace in Bosnia and by so doing nearly 60,000 troops in 30 op- peace agreement. While we will focus on our are creating the opportunity for erational maneuver battalions Much has been accomplished primary military tasks we will a new security framework for supported by artillery, aviation, in the first 60 days but much continue to support these civil- Europe. logistics, engineers, communi- more still remains. At D+90 the ian agencies within our capa- The Secretary General of cations, military police and gaining party, to include refu- bilities. NATO also asked me to express other units. gees, will enter the areas trans- I know you are aware that his appreciation and that of the Over 2,800 aircraft flights, ferred. At D+120, forces and mines, rogue elements, snipers North Atlantic Council for your 400 trains and 50 ships have heavy weapons from the former and other challenges such as outstanding efforts to date. As been skillfully orchestrated by warring factions will withdraw harsh weather and ruffed ter- you must know, I am extremely SHAPE and theater movement to designated cantonment ar- rain still make Bosnia a danger- proud of each of you. NATO’s control centers. This unique de- eas. ous place. You must not become mission continues. ployment is the largest military Most important, the IFOR complacent. Keep your head in operation in Europe since World will now begin to create the se- the game. Leaders must con- ONE TEAM - ONE MISSION! War II. cure environment to ensure tinue to stay engaged and active Clearly, Operation JOINT freedom of movement through- with their troops. Gen. George A. Joulwan As IFOR continues to per- ENDEAVOR has reaffirmed the out the country, not only for Supreme Allied Commander, high standards and tested pro- IFOR but for all the parties as form its mission, each of you cedures of our great alliance. well as United Nations and hu- must stay informed, focused and Europe THE TALON THE TALON is produced in the interest of the servicemen and women Cook ......................................................................... Spc. Margaret Young of Task Force Eagle, headquartered at Eagle Base, Tuzla, Bosnia- Public Affairs Officer...................................................Maj. John E. Suttle Herzegovina. THE TALON is an Army-funded, field expedient newspaper NCOIC...................................................................Master Sgt. Guy Benson authorized for members of the U.S. Army overseas, under the provision of Production Staff: 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment; 5th Regiment AR 360-81. Contents of THE TALON are not necessarily the official views of, Armory, 29th Division Street, Baltimore, Md.