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Blue aids green: Airmen forecast for Third Army

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Out of more than 1,000 service members and civilians assigned to Third Army, Army Central Command, three Airmen assigned to the 18th Operational Weather Squadron provide support with their three-manned unit.

Being the only Air Force personnel, they are not only responsible for local forecasts and global natural disasters and conditions, the Third Army Staff Weather Officers also support 18 different countries at a lieutenant general level of command in military areas of operation.

Capt. David Fischer, a SWO for 20 years, 1st Lt. Julie Grossnickle, a SWO for three years and Master Sgt. Julie Moretto, a SWO for 18 years, all provide invaluable weather support for the unit, according to Lt. Col. Todd Coulson, U.S. Army Central Command deputy chief of operations.

Fischer and Moretto have been assigned at ARCENT since 2011 and Grossnickle has been assigned since 2012.

All weather Airmen must be assigned to an Operational Weather Squadron before taking on a special duty assignment such as working at ARCENT.

According to Fischer, it is sometimes a challenge because the Air Force and Army work on different networks, and it is difficult to communicate sometimes; however, Moretto adds that as the Top Three treasurer she makes a constant effort in making connections to strengthen the Team Shaw concept.

"We are trying to make that Team Shaw concept a bigger reality," Moretto said.

Without this relationship though, the ARCENT mission would be lacking.

"Weather is not something the Army can do for itself," said Coulson. "We just don't have those positions in the Army, and without our Air Force brethren or sisters we couldn't do it."

The SWO's bring a unique perspective to the mission, explained Sgt. Maj. Mark Borzain, Third Army ARCENT G-2

"Weather is part of intelligence, and we are always monitoring what's going on," said Borzain.

"Weather plays a key role in decision making, whether on the ground or in the air."

However rewarding, the job can be challenging, said Moretto.

"It can be frustrating at times with differences in how the Air Force does things and how the Army works," said Moretto. "But it is an eye opener (to help each other improve in areas that are strengths."

The SWO's have monitored environmental events such as super-storm Sandy along the east coast of the U.S., earthquakes in Iran, flooding and avalanches in Pakistan and weather conditions in Afghanistan.

Another challenge is the constant change in the weather. SWO's in the ARCENT unit cannot always guarantee an accurate report because of changing conditions.

"We are wrong sometimes," said Grossnickle. "You are going to get that whether you are working for the Air Force or the Army."

Along with the high paced tempo that weather demands of these Airmen, the ability to adapt is a must in this small unit, according to Grossnickle.

"Flexibility is big in the military in general," said Grossnickle. "When it comes to combat missions, or people downrange that rely on you, you need to do what you can to be a good team player."

Remaining diligent and flexible, the 18th WS SWO's consistently provide combat readiness for Team Shaw.