Members of the 21st Operational Weather Squadron review and analyze daily forecast charts on Kapuan Air Station, Germany, July 6, 2012. The 21st Operational Weather Squadron’s mission is to provide commanders and operators with highly accurate, timely and relevant environmental situational awareness in support of U.S. Air Force, Joint and Combined operations across the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Senior Airman Jana Kitelinger, 21st Operational Weather Squadron synoptic forecaster, creates and reviews weather hazard charts on Kapuan Air Station, Germany, July 6, 2012. The 21st OWS operates with more than 200 assigned personnel providing routine flight weather briefings for senior weather leaders along with five day forecasts to help keep more than 50K personnel informed of expected weather conditions and aid in protecting over $30 billion worth of DoD assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Lt. Shannon Kranich, 21st Operational Weather Squadron synoptic element OIC, and Randall Ritchie, 21st Operational Weather Squadron synoptic element technical manager, review the surface frontal charts on Kapuan Air Station, Germany, July 6, 2012. The 21st OWS operates with more than 200 assigned personnel providing routine flight weather briefings for senior weather leaders along with five day forecasts to help keep more than 50K personnel informed of expected weather conditions and aid in protecting over $30 billion worth of DoD assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Staff Sgt. Robert Whittaker, 21st Operational Weather Squadron Mark IVB Satellite System NCOIC, performs an operations check on a Meteorological Data Station on Kapuan Air Station, Germany, July 6, 2012. The 21st OWS operates with more than 200 assigned personnel providing routine flight weather briefings for senior weather leaders along with five day forecasts to help keep more than 50K personnel informed of expected weather conditions and aid in protecting over $30 billion worth of DoD assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Staff Sgt. Robert Whittaker, 21st Operational Weather Squadron Mark IVB Satellite System NCOIC, performs an operations check on a Meteorological Data Station on Kapuan Air Station, Germany, July 6, 2012. The 21st OWS operates with more than 200 assigned personnel providing routine flight weather briefings for senior weather leaders along with five day forecasts to help keep more than 50K personnel informed of expected weather conditions and aid in protecting over $30 billion worth of DoD assets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Members of the 21st Operational Weather Squadron review climate conditions slides on Kapuan Air Station, Germany, July 6, 2012. Training is critical to the 21st OWS due to all new weather forecasters, enlisted and officer, coming to the OWS as their first weather assignment directly from technical training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
Staff Sgt. Jamila Jahic, 21st Operational Weather Squadron synoptic forecaster, creates and reviews weather hazard charts on Kapuan Air Station, Germany, July 6, 2012. Training is critical to the 21st OWS due to all new weather forecasters, enlisted and officer, coming to the OWS as their first weather assignment directly from technical training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)
by Senior Airman Chris Willis
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
7/9/2012 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The 21st Operational Weather Squadron's mission is to provide commanders and operators with highly accurate, timely and relevant environmental situational awareness in support of U.S. Air Force, Joint and Combined operations across the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility.
Training is critical to the 21st OWS due to all new weather forecasters, enlisted and officer, coming to the OWS as their first weather assignment directly from technical training. They train the Air Force weather's future leaders through a robust, comprehensive program focused on military professionalism, meteorology and its operational impact.
The 21st OWS operates with more than 200 assigned personnel providing routine flight weather briefings for senior weather leaders along with five day forecasts to help keep more than 50K personnel informed of expected weather conditions and aid in protecting over $30 billion worth of DoD assets.
