374th OSS weather flight keeps Yokota informed

  • Published
  • By Airman John D. Partlow
  • 374th Airlift Squadron Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  For many people, when they think of receiving weather information, they think of an overly excited meteorologist making weather jokes in front of a green screen early in the morning.

For the Airmen assigned to the 374th Operations Support Squadron weather flight at Yokota Air Base, Japan, forecasting is serious business.

"The majority of our support is for the installation's airfield," said Capt. Christopher Hanson, 374th OSS weather flight commander. "Aircraft safety and resource protection are our number one priority."

To check weather around Yokota AB, the flight Airmen use sensors, radars, satellites and pilot's observations.

Yokota AB members can check the base's weather channel, Channel 19, for the latest weather updates, said Tech. Sgt. Nicky Brown, 374th OSS NCO in charge of aviation weather.

The weather flight work hard to ensure Yokota gets information quickly and accurately.

Once the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan March 11, Captain Hanson was the first to notify military officials about the impending tsunami.

Since then, the weather flight has collaborated closely with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in tracking weather systems around Japan to keep information accurate and up-to-date.

"Yokota and JASDF meet and it gives the JASDF the opportunity to double-check what we're doing and gives them situational awareness," said Captain Hanson. "They also provide inputs to us which enables us to work better together."

The team supports Yokota AB 24-hours a day, seven days a week, with information to plan, conduct and sustain both day-to-day and contingency operations.

"The way the weather flight and personnel staff stepped up to perform operations was extremely impressive," said Captain Hanson. "They showed an extremely high level of professionalism."

For Staff Sgt. Eryn Buckner, 374th OSS weather forecaster, being a part of Operation Tomodachi means being a part of something great.

"I'm very proud to be able to support the Japanese people at this time," said Sergeant Buckner. "I feel like I'm supporting something bigger than me."