Hurricane

Robert Molleda, a warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service Miami forecast office, holds a weather map while he explains forecasting methods and models used to predict storms at the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center Miami, Florida, Sept. 15. The National Weather Service works to provide accurate forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property, and enhancement of the national economy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aja Heiden)

Hurricane

Master Sgt. Jose Diaz, right, the 482nd Fighter Wing command post superintendent, and Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Civitella, the 482nd FW command post senior controller, examine a dropsonde at the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center Miami, Florida, Sept. 15. The dropsonde is a device that is dropped from an aircraft into a storm to measure tropical storm conditions and relate this information back to the aircraft. The dropsonde gathers information about the direction, pressure, temperature, and humidity of the storm. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aja Heiden)

Hurricane

Members of 482nd Fighter Wing Emergency Operations Center pose for a photo at National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center Miami, Florida, Sept. 15. The National Weather Service work to provide weather updates, climate data, forecast and warnings for the protection of life and property, and enhancement of the national economy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aja Heiden)

482nd Emergency Operations Center visited National Weather Service

Published Sept. 20, 2016
By Senior Airman Aja Heiden, 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Members of 482nd Fighter Wing Emergency Operations Center visited the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. Sept. 15.

“Each year, June 1 through Nov. 30 we face the threat of hurricanes and other severe weather that affects our location year-round,” said Master Sgt. Robert Avery, a 482nd FW Inspector General Inspections emergency manager inspection planner. “Having strong ties with the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service can help provide our leaders with accurate information to keep our mission going and ensure our Airmen stay safe.”

The National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center share a mission to save lives and lessen property loss.

“Our goal is to make forecasts more reliable so people know they can trust us when we say there’s a storm and evacuate to safety,” said Warren Madden, a recon specialist for the National Weather Service.

The 482nd FW EOC members are representatives from various squadrons, including Force Support Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Civil Engineering Squadron and Maintenance Group.

“Each player has a unique role in ensuring that Homestead ARB and the 482nd FW is prepared for and, can recover from an approaching storm,” said Avery.

The EOC is activated by the wing commander when severe weather is predicted to affect the local area.

“When severe weather strikes our area, it affects us all,” said Avery. “The EOC went to the National Weather Service to gain valuable insight into the actions and steps taken to prepare our community in extreme weather.”

Airmen toured the facility and were shown the devices used to monitor hurricanes from inside the storm.

“I gained knowledge about how data is collected from the storms, but my favorite part was hearing that the first pilot to willing fly into a hurricane did it to show that his aircraft was better than another pilot’s aircraft,” said Master Sgt. Jose Diaz, the 482nd FW command post superintendent.