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Shaw prepares for severe weather season

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Without the proper preparation and training conducted by the 20th Operations Support Squadron weather flight, the 20th Fighter Wing would not be prepared for the upcoming severe weather season.

"Typically March through August is our severe weather season here at Shaw," said Capt. Claire Jarry, 20th OSS weather flight commander. "Right now we are gearing up for our thunderstorm season, which can include hail, strong winds, flash flooding and occasionally tornadoes."

Within the last year, the weather flight has received funding for new weather radar equipment to better prepare for the upcoming season.

"Our new Gibson Ridge radar software has 3-dimensional capabilities to view the weather," said 1st Lt. Grant Talkington, 20th FW weather officer. "Once the weather is formed and moving towards us, we can interrogate it to a more accurate degree. We can determine if there is hail, tornadoes or any significant wind gusts."

As the 13 weather flight Airmen train on the new weather radar, they also begin to prepare the rest of the base for the upcoming season.

"We are going to be heading-up a severe weather review board with base leadership," said Jarry. "We brief them on the types of warnings we put out, the amount of warning time we give before weather hits, as well as any new changes."

The number of confirmed tornadoes in South Carolina for 2013 was 10, which was below average for the Palmetto State, averaging 11 tornadoes each year since 1950.

Though tornadoes could be a potentially dangerous threat for Shaw, they are not what are most likely to slow down the F-16CJ Fighting Falcon pilots from completing the mission.

"As soon as there is lightning within five nautical miles, all flightline activity has to stop," said Jarry. "If the pilots are out on the runway waiting to take off, they just have to sit in the jet until the warning is over."

Briefing pilots on weather conditions before take-off is a critical part of mission effectiveness and ensuring safety on the runway and in the sky.

"We come down to the fighter squadron two hours prior to the weather brief to build a mission execution forecast," said Senior Airman Heather Moran, 20th OSS weather forecaster. "We give the pilots the mission forecast, which highlights the time frames they will be flying. We also brief them on the weather for any alternate training locations that they could have to fly in, as well as let them know of any weather advisories, watches, or warnings."

"Having an accurate weather report is absolutely critical," said 1st Lt. Jack Johnston, 55th Fighter Squadron pilot. "A lot of times the weather dictates what the mission will be. If the weather cannot support the mission, then we have to change it, so it's really incumbent for [the weather flight] to come through for us."

Although most Airmen on base aren't directly affected by what's going on up in the sky, it is important to know what to do in the event of severe weather.

"If you hear thunder then lighting may be near," said Jarry. "If there is lightning within five miles get indoors, if you are standing outside then you're a target. While driving during heavy rain decrease your speed, don't drive through a water filled area of an unknown depth and never drive through flowing water. In the event of a tornado get indoors and find the most interior room, away from windows. If you find yourself outdoors, lie flat in a ditch and cover your head."

"It's always important to know what to do before severe weather hits," added Jarry.