Air Force, Navy weather forecasters form one front

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. John Lasky
  • Air Force Print News
SEMBACH AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  Air Force weather forecasters from the 21st Operational Weather Squadron welcomed Navy weather forecasters into their unit here Aug. 31.

With a Navy drawdown and reach-back initiatives, the number of maritime weather forecasters in Europe was reduced by more than half.

"Based on the cuts in theater, it made sense to have us work side-by-side," said Lt. Col. John Shepley, commander of the 21st OWS. 

"We had a duplicate mission in theater whether we were at Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Sicily; or Naples, Italy," said Navy Lt. Shawn Gallagher, the unit's new assistant director of operations. "We decided to get it all in one building."

The integration of the Airmen and Sailors has been "pretty seamless," according to Staff Sgt. Antoine Valentino, the NCO in charge of Mediterranean weather forecasting.

He is trained on using Navy meteorological systems to produce weather reports for his region of Europe.

"The only thing that's really different is some of the terminology," Sergeant Valentino said.

"The merger here is proving it can be done and we're proving it every day. The clothes may be different but the job will be the same," Colonel Shepley said.

Currently five Sailors are working on this hilltop outlook in southwestern Germany. By early next year the 21st OWS should have 14 Navy forecasters.

The weather technical schools for the services share classes for the first month of training. After that, the future forecasters continue for several months with their specialized meteorological schooling.

"The Navy forecasters can leverage maritime experience and we'll share our (over- land experience). We can also learn the best in both of our cultures," Colonel Shepley said.

"It's been a bit challenging," said Aerographers Mate 2nd Class Evelyn Michael. "I've been learning to do things the Air Force way along with the Navy way, and the Airmen have been very helpful in training how to use their systems."