Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, So. AZ Edition, August 6, 2021

2 August 2021 Desert Lightning News Desert Lightning News August 2021 3
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Davis-Monthan’s Weather Flight Airmen prep for Two Air Force Reservists earn top annual honors

Arizona’s monsoon season MATThew MATLoCk

by Staff Sgt.

Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
RoBINS AIR FoRCe BASe, Ga. — Air Force Re-
serve Command senior leaders surprised two Reserve
Citizen Airmen recently with the news that they have
than what we could provide with a kestrel been selected for prestigious Air Force-level awards.
by Staff Sgt. — our handheld weather sensor.” Staff Sgt. Kristy L. Riley, 924th Maintenance Squad-
BLAke GoNzALeS While the TMQ-53 TMOS isn’t normally ron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, was named one
used for day to day operations, the value
355th Wing Public Affairs of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year,
of the training becomes immense when and Master Sgt. Jose R. Pagan Jr., 914th Maintenance
Monsoon season can be a stressful time a short-notice tasking for a deployment Squadron, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New
for southern Arizona, especially when it comes up and the designated location isn’t York, was selected as the Air Force’s First Sergeant
comes to accurately forecasting the coming well-established. of the Year for 2021.
thunderstorms and possible floods. Luckily, “This training will benefit me in the Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, chief of the Air Force
the 355th Operational Support Squadron future in the event that I am deployed as Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Com-
Weather Flight is doing its part to prep a weather forecaster at a location where mand, and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, AFRC’s
its Airmen for contingencies not only at there is no weather equipment,” Har- command chief master sergeant and Scobee’s senior
home, but abroad. rington said. “Not much about it is taught enlisted advisor, reached out to the award winners
The 355th OSS Weather Flight hosted at the weather technical school, so receiv- via video chat to inform them of their selection and
seasonal training as a means to prepare ing this training was really interesting.” congratulate them.
for the ongoing monsoon season. The Seasonal training like this not only “I sat there on these boards, and the competition at
training included lessons in tactical benefits the Airmen on short notice to the Headquarters Air Force level is so tough,” White
weather equipment, severe weather ac- deploy, but also the entire flight in prepar- said on the call to Riley. “For you to make it through
tion procedures and monsoon forecasting ing for harsh weather seasons and future the wing, the numbered air force and all the way up courtesy photo courtesy photo
tips — useful to both new and seasoned wartime contingencies. By preparing for Photos by Senior Airman Alex Miller to be a 12 OAY winner, this is a huge honor that very Master Sgt. Jose R. Pagan Jr., 914th Maintenance Staff Sgt. Kristy L. Riley, 924th Maintenance
weather Airmen. the high-end fight today, Davis-Monthan’s Two Airmen from the 355th Operational Support Squadron Weather Flight put to- few people get — and you are one of them. You make Squadron, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, was
“The main goals were to give the newer Weather Flight is preparing for the con- gether a TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System during seasonal train- the boss and me so proud.” York, was selected as the Air Force’s First Ser- named one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Air-
Airmen valuable information that will flicts of tomorrow by staying one step ing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, June 3. The training included lessons in tacti- Riley is the combat plans training supervisor for geant of the Year for 2021. men of the Year for 2021.
come in handy not only for day to day ahead of our near-peer adversaries, ready cal weather equipment, severe weather action procedures and monsoon forecast- the 924th MXS. She was recently nominated for the
operations, but also for monsoon season,” to do whatever the mission requires. ing tips useful to both new and seasoned weather Airmen. Air Force Sergeants Association’s Pitsenbarger Award for heroic acts while saving two lives. Among her list focused on increasing follower commitment in joint
said Staff Sgt. Vanessa Williams, 355th of other accomplishments, she qualified 24 Airmen, environments.
OSS Weather Flight forecaster. “Train- eliminating a six-year certification backlog and sav- “We gave you some tools and told you to go lead, and
ing on our TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorologi- ing $10,000 in temporary duty assignment expenses. you did it. You got after it,” Chief Master Sgt. Travon
cal Observing System ensured that our Also, she facilitated 112 virtual training periods, Dennis, AFRC’s first sergeant functional manager,
newer Airmen are now well versed in mitigating COVID-19 travel impacts and eliminating said as he joined in on the call to Pagan. “The hard SPOTLIGHT
how to pack everything up and set up a four-month backlog. work paid off and I am so proud of you. You did it
shop somewhere else if they needed to in Pagan led the evacuation of 255 Airmen during a representing Niagara, AFRC and the big Air Force.
a moment’s notice.” ballistic missile attack while deployed to Iraq. Ad- So take this with pride and continue to lean forward.”
The TMQ-53 TMOS is a portable ditionally, as one of two first sergeants in country, Scobee thanked both winners for their hard work
weather station capable of operating in he established the first-ever Al Asad Air Base First and dedication to the AFRC mission, and their con-
austere and contested locations. Part of Sergeant Council, mentoring acting first sergeants tributions to the Total Force.
the training involved teaching this equip- from eight squadrons, increasing resilience of 1,200
ment to the newer Airmen in support of Airmen. Finally, Pagan founded the Combined Forces
the Dynamic Wing concept. The training Leadership Development Course, a six-week program
allowed Airmen to not only learn about
the station, but also operate it in a practi- An Airman from the 355th Operational Support
cal exercise. Squadron Weather Flight unplugs the wires on a
“Being not only familiar with our TMQ- TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System
53 TMOS, but being able to set it up, op- during seasonal training at Davis-Monthan Air Staff
erate it and tear it down with little to no Force Base, June 3. Weather Airmen are required Publisher ..........................................................................Paul Kinison
assistance is an important skill that our to learn and operate the TMQ-53 TMOS in support Business manager ...........................................................Lisa Kinison
Airmen are required to know,” Williams of the Dynamic Wing. Editor ...................................................................................Amy Lamb
said. “This hands-on training proves that Advertising representative ............................................Sandi Bueltel
we have the tools and training needed to Designer .............................................................................Tinna Sellie
fully accomplish the mission.” An Airman from the 355th Op- Published by Aerotech News and Review, Inc.
While this training is normally con- erational Support Squadron 877- 247-9288 • www.aerotechnews.com
ducted every monsoon season, this is Weather Flight calibrates a Aerotech News and Review prepares all editorial content for Desert Lightning News. The
the first time the entire weather flight TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorologi- editor will edit or rewrite submitted material for clarity, brevity or to conform to the Associ-
has been incorporated to cover lessons cal Observing System during ated Press Style Guide, local policy and Air Force style as required by Air Force Instruc-
specifically tailored to the Air Force Spe- seasonal training at Davis- tion 35-101. Contributions for Desert Lightning News can be emailed to the editor at amy@
cialty Code, rather than just ancillary Monthan Air Force Base, aerotechnews.com. Submission deadlines are the 15th day prior to the month of publica-
tion. Submissions will be based on space available and priority. Desert Lightning News uses
training required by the Air Force. The June 3. The TMQ-53 TMOS is information from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base website, the Armed Forces Information
training proved an invaluable tool for a portable weather station ca- Service, Air Force News Service, Air Combat Command, staff writers and other sources. All
learning various concepts and applying pable of operating in austere advertising is handled by Aerotech News and Review. For business advertising, call 877-247-
them directly. and contested locations. 9288 or email Sandi Bueltel at sbueltel@aerotechnews.com. For classified advertising, email
“Setting up and taking apart the TMQ- classifieds@aerotechnews.com.
Desert Lightning News is published by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in
53 TMOS is one of the few hands-on tasks no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under written agreement with the 355th
that we as weather forecasters perform,” RIGHT: Airmen from the Fighter Wing. Contents of Desert Lightning News are not necessarily the official views
said Airman 1st Class Wesley Harrington, 355th Operational Support of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense or the Department
355th OSS Weather Flight forecaster ap- Squadron Weather Flight put of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or
prentice. “The biggest takeaway for me together a TMQ-53 Tactical supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by
from the training day is that the TMQ-53 Meteorological Observing the DLN, DOD, Air Force or Aerotech News and Review. Everything advertised in this
TMOS can be used as a backup sensor; it System during seasonal courtesy photo courtesy photo publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affilia-
can produce automated observations pro- training at Davis-Monthan Air Riley conducts maintenance as part of her regular Riley salutes during a ceremony held at Davis- tion or any other non-merit factor of the purchase, user or patron.
viding more accurate weather information Force Base, June 3. mission at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Monthan Air Force Base.