thedrifter
05-19-06, 07:13 AM
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (May 19, 2006) -- Mother Nature unleashed her wrath and caused a massive landslide that buried the entire town of Guinsaugon, Leyte, Philippines, Feb. 17. Two days later, Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived to find a devastated area with very few lines of communication.
"When we were in Leyte, after the Philippine landslide, we couldn't get weather data from any outside sources due to lack of communication networks," said Gunnery Sgt. Steven T. Lewis, the weather chief with the 31st MEU. "I needed Lance Cpl. Higginbotham's eyes on the ground."
"Without observers, weather forecasters could not get the necessary data for an accurate forecast in many field situations," said Lance Cpl. Kerry J. Higginbotham, a meteorological and oceanographic observer with the 31st MEU. "We're the eyes and ears of the forecasters."
An observer's job consists of hunting for invisible environmental factors that affect everyone, efforts that go virtually unseen by most people.
They spend their days collecting information about atmospheric conditions and compiling data, which their weather-forecaster counterparts can use to provide a timely and accurate weather forecast to unit commanders. The commanders can use the forecast to plan future missions and exercises.
Observers use weather balloons, mobile instruments and satellite imagery to gather temperature, dew point, pressure and humidity levels.
Various units, throughout the Navy and Marine Corps, use this information in many ways. Aviation units can determine current flight conditions using the information observers collect.
"If a nuclear, biological or chemical attack occurs, we can provide commands with information about the fallout, which is in direct relation to the weather," Higginbotham said. "Heat and humidity affect the concentration and persistence of biological and chemical agents."
"This job is an exciting place to be right now," Lewis explained. "It's one of the most scientific fields in the Marine Corps."
Observers learn how weather can affect military operations and a massive amount of meteorological phenomena during a rigorous three-month course at their military occupation specialty school at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss.
"In school, we learn about all 27 sky conditions," said Cpl. Jacob D. Schenck, a meteorological and oceanographic observer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. "They range from calm, clear skies to cumulus mammatus, which are clouds capable of producing tornados."
One of the least known meteorological phenomena they learn about is Saint Elmo's Fire, Higginbotham explained. It is a charge of electricity that discharges into the atmosphere from propellers, ships' masts and even human heads.
"It's virtually a miniature lightning bolt," Higginbotham said. "It's interesting, but the charge is far too weak to be dangerous."
In a dangerous or remote field environment, observers are extremely important when it is hard to get data from other sources.
"On a ship, the Navy is responsible for gathering weather data," Lewis said. "But if we go ashore, the responsibility falls on us."
Ellie
"When we were in Leyte, after the Philippine landslide, we couldn't get weather data from any outside sources due to lack of communication networks," said Gunnery Sgt. Steven T. Lewis, the weather chief with the 31st MEU. "I needed Lance Cpl. Higginbotham's eyes on the ground."
"Without observers, weather forecasters could not get the necessary data for an accurate forecast in many field situations," said Lance Cpl. Kerry J. Higginbotham, a meteorological and oceanographic observer with the 31st MEU. "We're the eyes and ears of the forecasters."
An observer's job consists of hunting for invisible environmental factors that affect everyone, efforts that go virtually unseen by most people.
They spend their days collecting information about atmospheric conditions and compiling data, which their weather-forecaster counterparts can use to provide a timely and accurate weather forecast to unit commanders. The commanders can use the forecast to plan future missions and exercises.
Observers use weather balloons, mobile instruments and satellite imagery to gather temperature, dew point, pressure and humidity levels.
Various units, throughout the Navy and Marine Corps, use this information in many ways. Aviation units can determine current flight conditions using the information observers collect.
"If a nuclear, biological or chemical attack occurs, we can provide commands with information about the fallout, which is in direct relation to the weather," Higginbotham said. "Heat and humidity affect the concentration and persistence of biological and chemical agents."
"This job is an exciting place to be right now," Lewis explained. "It's one of the most scientific fields in the Marine Corps."
Observers learn how weather can affect military operations and a massive amount of meteorological phenomena during a rigorous three-month course at their military occupation specialty school at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss.
"In school, we learn about all 27 sky conditions," said Cpl. Jacob D. Schenck, a meteorological and oceanographic observer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. "They range from calm, clear skies to cumulus mammatus, which are clouds capable of producing tornados."
One of the least known meteorological phenomena they learn about is Saint Elmo's Fire, Higginbotham explained. It is a charge of electricity that discharges into the atmosphere from propellers, ships' masts and even human heads.
"It's virtually a miniature lightning bolt," Higginbotham said. "It's interesting, but the charge is far too weak to be dangerous."
In a dangerous or remote field environment, observers are extremely important when it is hard to get data from other sources.
"On a ship, the Navy is responsible for gathering weather data," Lewis said. "But if we go ashore, the responsibility falls on us."
Ellie