Steve Pierce
President
The Oregon Chapter of the American
Meteorological Society (AMS)
Oregon AMS Mission Statement
“The purpose of this society shall be to advance
professional ideals in the science of meteorology and
to promote the development, exchange and
application of meteorological knowledge.”
Current 2012/13 Oregon AMS
Executive Council
President – Steve Pierce
Vice President – Bobby Corser
Secretary – Brian MacMillan
Treasurer & Web Master – John Rinier
Councilors – Mark Nelsen, Tyree Wilde
& Crystal Stout
Oregon AMS Updates
Oregon AMS yearly membership dues are only $10 per year!
The Oregon AMS is now the single largest AMS chapter in the
country with 180 members. We host 8 monthly meetings per
year along with the annual “Winter Weather Forecast
Conference” now in it’s 21st year. We also host a great season
ending summer picnic.
We are on Twitter @OregonAMS and we are also on
Facebook at: facebook.com/oregonams. Our web site is easily
found on any search engine. Just type “Oregon AMS!”
Are you an AMS member?
Oregon AMS Updates
** Upcoming Meetings **
Tuesday, March 19th 7:30pm
“Hurricanes, weather patterns and climate change — why a few
degrees matter” with Richard Anthes, former President of the
American Meteorological Society (2007).
Location: Portland State University. Co-sponsored by the
Columbia / Willamette Sigma Xi chapter.
April – *Tentative* Hydrology & Flood Forecasting Reliability w/
Les Miller (Army Corps) and Andy Bryant (National Weather
Service). Time, Date and Location = TBD
A Quick Winter Weather Update
A Quick Winter Weather Update
BORING WEATHER = NO SNOW!
Lt Col Matt Doggett
Commander,
123 Weather Flight
Oregon Air National Guard
Who Are We
Three Weather Units. Three distinct
missions
 Aviation

 142FW
○ 123 FS
 OSW (Weather)

Special Ops
 123STS
○ SOWT

Army
 123WF
How We Are Organized
Air Force Weather History
The Early Years
 1804. Military responsibility
 1819. Medical Corps
 1870. Signal Corps
 1890. Weather Bureau
 1937. Birthday!

The Early Years

Earliest known records
1804. Enter the military
1819-1870. The Medical Corps
Dr Joseph Lovell
1870-1890. The Signal Corps
An U.S. Army Signal Corps soldier at Pikes
Peak weather station, transmits latest weather
data by heliograph (circa 1880s)
1890-1917. The US Weather Bureau
U.S. Army Signal Corps and Weather Bureau
Station on Pikes Peak, altitude 14,147 feet (circa
1890s) (U.S. Army Signal Corps)
Birth of a Weather Service
Weather War Stories
Birth of the Jet Stream.
 First Tornado Forecast
 Small Forecast. Big Impact.
 Winds of Change
Know the enemy, know
 Isn’t that Special?
yourself; your victory will
 A Quick Rescue
never be endangered.
 Beyond the Battlefield
Know the ground, know
 The Final Frontier
the weather; your victory
 Some Gave All

will then be total.
- Sun Tzu, The Art of
War, c.400-320 b.c.
Birth of the Jet Stream.
Carl-Gustav Rossby
First Tornado Forecast
Aircraft damage from
first Tornado at Tinker
AFB, 20 Mar 1948
Capt Miller and
Maj Fawbush
Small Forecast. Big Impact.
Winds of Change
Within hours of the attacks, AFCCC
produced special reports on winds for all
three runways at Reagan National
Winds of Change
AFWA iGRADS replaced the
need for manned rawinsonde
operations with a Field Artillery
unit in a combat zone.
Isn’t that Special
SOWT operator
transmitting an
observation
from a remote
location high in
the mountains
of Afghanistan.
A Quick Rescue
Beyond the Battlefield
Hurricanes, Volcanoes, and Floods! Oh
my!
 Haiti
 Deepwater Horizon.
 Pakistan flooding.

The Final Frontier
Rocket Launches
 Shuttle support
 Solar

Some Gave All
Capt Nathan J Nylander
27 Apr 2011
Why Not Just Use the NWS?
NWS Ft Drum Forecast
When will the snow start?
When will it end?
How much?
Will my aircraft be able to fly?
When will aviation be grounded?
Will tracked vehicles be affected?
Will satellites or communications be hindered?
US Air Force CWT Ft Drum
Forecast
Training and Ops
SMSgt Chris Payne
•
•
•
•
Weather Forecasting School
Weather Readiness Training Course
Training at Home Station
Operations
Unclassified/FOUO
Upon completion of Basic Training or transfer from sister service (US Army, US Navy, US Coast
Guard or US Marines)
Weather Forecasting School, Keesler AFB – 30 weeks
Training includes basic, intermediate, and advanced meteorology, meteorological reports
and computer operations. Other topics include: satellite meteorology, weather chart
analysis, weather radar, weather products, tropical meteorology, synoptic level analytical
meteorology, weather prognosis techniques, and severe weather forecasting.
Wx School Course Outline
• Element 1
Block 1-Meteorology (Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced).
Block 2-Satellite (Interpretation)
Block 3-Encoding/Upper Air Charts
Block 4-Macroscale Analysis Techniques (A Study of the long wave
pattern to include physics and dynamics, an introduction to models, and
they also have to successfully analyze a hemispheric chart, and
satellite)
Wx School Course Outline
• Element 2
Block 5-Synoptic scale analysis techniques (Including: Physics,
Dynamics, a more in-depth look at satellite interpretation, and model
initialization/verification)
Block 6-Synoptic Lab (Chart analysis of both the long wave pattern,
synoptic pattern, satellite)
Block 7-Mescoscale Analysis Techniques (A study of convective/nonconvective severe weather, to include radar basics)
Block 8-Mesoscale Analysis Lab (Analysis of Synoptic and Mesoscale
features; students are actually put on an OPUP with a saved scenario
(many scenarios) for them to practice, and special observations) .
Block 9-Macro/Synoptic Scale Forecast Techniques (Study of basic
Macro/Synoptic scale rules/dynamics)
Block 10-Macro/Synoptic Scale Forecast Lab
Wx School Course Outline
• Element 3
Block 11-Meso/Microscale Forecast Techniques
Block 12- Meso/Microscale Forecast Lab (The students are given an indepth look at models, further interpretation of the models, and how to
apply them in the real world.
Block 13-Forecast Lab (The students are given a base to forecast for,
and issue WWA's, write TAFS, do manual observations, analyze
charts/satellite
Block 14-Air Force Weather Career Field (Basic 5 and 7 skill level
progression, the FMQ-19, deployable equipment, some basic Army
support terminology)
Active Duty Weather Troops
– Assigned to one of eight (8) major Air Force Weather "Hubs" (which
are major regional weather forecasting stations)
• Barksdale AFB, LA
• Shaw AFB, SC
• Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
• Scott AFB, IL
• Sembach AB, Germany
• Yakota AB, Japan
• Hickam AFB, HI
• Elmendorff AFB, AK.
– Undergo intensive on-the-job training for a period of 15 to 24
months.
ANG Weather Operations Course
(Camp Blanding, FL)
• 17 Week Course (Starts every 4 weeks)
– Observing, Met Applications, Army Unique Weather Support, Air
Field Unique Weather Support
Battlefield Airmen Weather
Support Locations
116WF
123WF
202WF
208WF
126WF
107WF
203WF
146WF
207WF
113WF
164WF
200WF
127WF
105WF
125WF
156WF
154WF
210WF
195WF
181WF
199WF
159WF
209WF
Special Operations Weather Teams
supporting Special Operations Forces
Battlefield Weather Flights
supporting Conventional ARNG Forces
Army Weather Support
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wx Warnings & Advisories
Weather Briefings
Extended Planning Weather Forecasts
Climatology
River Level Forecasts
Weather Thresholds to weapons systems
• Specific Mission and Army Customer
– 41st IBCT (Clackamas, OR)
– 116th CAV (Boise, ID)
– State Joint Operations Center (Salem, OR)
Questions?
44
SOWT History - WWII
Yugoslavia
_ OSS recruited weathermen to parachute into German occupied
Yugoslavia to radio out weather reports
_ Supported bombing missions against targets in the Balkans to
support supply missions to Marshall Tito’s partisans
_ These men received their jump training at a British jump school
in Palestine
Normandy / Holland
_ Weathermen attached to the 101st ABN and 82nd ABN
_ Parachuted into Europe in order to provide weather data
China-India-Burma Theater
_ OSS weathermen parachuted into
Burma to train Burmese fighters
_ Trained to take & send out weather
reports
Pacific Theater
_ JC-40 Group weathermen worked behind Japanese lines
in the Philippines to support air strikes & naval bombardments
in preparation for MacArthur’s campaign
_ By October of 1944 they operated 39 weather reporting stations
SOWT History – Grimes Years
Birth of Modern SOWT
_ In 1963 Captain Keith Grimes formed Detachment 75 of the 2nd Weather Group at
Hurlburt Field to support Air Force Air Commandos
_ ‘Jungle Jim’, elements provided weather support to special forces involved in
unconventional warfare throughout Vietnam and surrounding countries
_ 1965 deployed with 7th SFG during the Dominican Republic crisis
Laos
_ 1965 to 1973 Grimes and his weatherman established
a weather network in Laos
_ They trained Laotians & Air America members how to
record & transmit weather data
_ At its height 10 Air America and 18 Laotian sites were
producing & transmitting 4500 observations a month
Cambodia
_ 1974 LtCol Grimes as commander, established weather
network in Cambodia creating 3 weather stations
_ Improved aerial reconnaissance and resupply missions
SOWT Training Pipeline
Special Operations Weather Selection Course, Lackland, AFB - 2 weeks
Special Operations Weather Initial Skills Course, Keesler AFB – 29 weeks
Training includes basic, intermediate, and advanced meteorology, meteorological reports and
computer operations. Other topics include: satellite meteorology, weather chart analysis, weather
radar, weather products, tropical meteorology, synoptic level analytical meteorology, weather
prognosis techniques, and severe weather forecasting.
U.S. Army Airborne School, Fort Benning - 3 weeks
U.S. Air Force Basic Survival School, Fairchild AFB, - 2 ½ weeks
U.S. Air Force Water Survival Training, Fairchild AFB – 2 days
U.S. Air Force Underwater Egress Training, Fairchild AFB - 2 days
Special Operations Weather Apprentice Course, Pope AFB – 13 weeks
Special Tactics Operational Readiness Training , Hurlburt Field - 12-months
Produces mission-ready operators for the Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command
Additional SOWT Training
- Static Line Jumpmaster
- Military Free Fall Parachutist
- MFF Jumpmaster
- Military Scout Swimmer
- Military Scuba Qualification
- Avalanche Analysis and Forecasting (LVL 2)
- Riverine Analysis and Forecasting Course
-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Operator Certification
SOWT Core Competencies
- Environmental Collection
Terrain Analysis
Riverine Assessments
Avalanche Hazard Assessments
Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS)
WX Sensor Emplacement
- Austere Airfield Weather Operations
Surface/Upper Air Observations
- Limited Data Forecasting/ Nowcasting/ Mission
Execution Forecasting
- Chemical Downwind Message
SOWT Way Ahead
National Meteorological Service Assessments
Assess a nation's meteorological infrastructure strictly
based on the nation's capability to provide
operationally and tactically relevant and accurate
weather information in support of SOF missions and
mission profiles to include FID, COIN, and other
SOF-enabled operations.
Establishing SOF and Indigenous Weather Networks
Organize, train, equip, advise, and assist SOF and indigenous
forces to build meteorological capacity/infrastructure in order to
provide a more adequate weather data coverage
Weather Site Surveys
Conduct weather site surveys of existing airfield services, of
airfields without services, and of assault landing zones to
determine the level of existing weather operations or the
requirement for weather capabilities IOT allow for use in
humanitarian, nation building, or other activities.
OREGON MILITARY DEPARTMENT
Command Brief
American Meteorological Society
Col Mike Bieniewicz
Federal Mission
Provide trained combat ready, front-line units to
deploy in support of the national military strategy –
to deter war.
State Mission
Provide the citizens of the State of Oregon and the
United States with a ready force of citizen soldiers
and airmen, equipped and trained to respond to any
contingency, natural or manmade.
52
Manning Levels
FSA/Authorized
Assigned
Army Guard
6428*
6618
Air Guard
2202
2187
Totals
8630
8795
* NGB Authorized Strength: 6650
Information current as of 6 Jan 12
53
Chain of Command
Governor
Kitzhaber
Salem
TAG
MG Rees
Salem
Deputy Director and State
Defense Force Commander
BG Caldwell
41 IBCT
Tigard
ARMY
BG Bush
Salem
82 BDE
Lake Oswego
AIR
Brig Gen
Gregg
Salem
173 FW
Klamath Falls
Oregon Emergency
Management
COG
Col Bieniewicz
Portland
142 FW
Portland
54
Unit Locations
Camp Rilea
Milton-Freewater
Camp Rilea
Jackson
St. Helens
Hood River
Portland IAP
Hillsboro
Hermiston
Kliever
Pendleton
Gresham
Forest Grove
The Dalles
Pendleton AASF
Camp Withycombe
Clackamas
La Grande
Lake Oswego
Tigard
McMinnville
Woodburn
Warrenton to Ashland
Dallas
Monmouth RTI
Salem JFHQ, ARC,
17 St., AASF
Baker City
Albany
Newport
Corvallis
Lebanon
Redmond
Prineville
Ontario
Biak
162 Regiment AFRC
340
Bend
Burns
Coos Bay
Roseburg
Grants Pass
Medford
Klamath Falls
Ashland
425
Coos Bay to Ontario
55
Deployments Since 2002
13080 Service Members Deployed Since 2002
2002
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
(OEF - Afghanistan)
State Fires
2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
ONE
2004
OIF
OEF
1396
62
2005
OIF
152
OEF
127
TF Katrina 1,930
529
108
1600
1305
66
2006
OIF
OEF
2007
OIF
OEF
GTMO
2008
OIF
OEF
2009
OIF
OEF
3
942
337
5
6
39
17
3267
111
2010
OIF/New Dawn
(OND)
549
OEF
253
2011
OND
OEF
12
258
2012
OND
OEF
0
170
2013
OND
OEF
0*
20*
*FY 2013 Numbers are projected based off of current sourcing requirements
56
UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO
Operations/Deployments
Canada
142FW (1)
Germany
142FW (1)
JFHQ (1)
AIR – CONUS
142 FW (5)
173 FW (3)
COG (2)
Afghanistan
142 FW (2)
173 FW (1)
COG (12)
1186 MP (146)
115 MPAD (18)
2-641 AV (3)
Kyrgyzstan
142FW (1)
England
173FW (2)
ARMY – CONUS
MOB/DEMOB sites (2)
Operational Support (0)
CBWTU (53)
WTU (26)
ALT MTF (7)
NGB (75)
SW Border (2)
Egypt
C 7-158 AV (1)
Qatar
142 FW (2)
COG (1)
UAE
142FW (6)
173FW (1)
COG (1)
Kuwait
142FW (2)
173FW (1)
C 7-158 AV (20)
Bahrain
142FW (3)
Djibouti
JFHQ (1)
Army
Air
Joint Total
353
46
399
UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO
57
Oregon Air National Guard
58
Oregon Air National Guard
• 2200+ Members
• Two F-15 Wings
– Portland – 142 FW - Air Defense
– Klamath Falls – 173 FW – F-15 Training
• Combat Ops Group
– Special Ops
– ATC
– Air Battle Management
– Weather
Guarding America – Defending
Freedom
Oregon ANG Units
Warrenton
•142 FW
• Aerospace Control Alert (ACA)
Portland
116 ACS
•173 FW
• F-15 C/D FTU (ANG & Active Duty)
142 FW
COG/HQ
125 STS
123 WF
Salem
•State Combat Operations Group (COG)
• 116th Air Control Squadron
• 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron
• 123rd Weather Flight
• 125th Special Tactics Squadron
•State Partnership Program
•Bangladesh
•Vietnam
JFHQ
173FW
270 ATCS
Klamath Falls
60
142d Fighter Wing
Provide 24/7 Air Defense of the Pacific
Northwest, Dominate the Air Superiority
Arena, and Support National Security
Objectives
Guarding America – Defending
Freedom
173d Fighter Wing
Produce the best air-to-air combat pilots,
intelligence specialists, and healthcare
professionals and serve our nation and state
in times of peace and war
Combat Operations Group
To provide our nation, state, allies and partners with
the means to plan and conduct air, space, and
cyberspace operations, any time, any where
63
Questions?
64