Today’s Air Force is the most advanced fighting force the world has ever seen. Its aircraft can fly nationwide to deliver bombs that land within a few feet of the target. The capabilities to wage war during day or night are unparalleled. However, this lethal force is still at the mercy of an even greater power -- Mother Nature.

Despite the Air Force’s greatest advances in navigation and aviation technology, Mother Nature still controls the sky.

It’s the job of the 26th Operational Weather Squadron to keep track of Mother Nature and keep the Air Force one step ahead.

Staying ahead of such a volatile force is no simple task. The 26th is responsible for forecasting the weather for 640,000 square miles of sky in the United States.

“We are responsible for much of the south central United States and we do this with a 95 percent accuracy rate, which exceeds ACC (Air Combat Command) standards,” said Capt. Elton Grey, the squadron assistant director of operations.

The seven-state coverage area can become a shooting gallery for a wide variety of dangerous weather. The northern part of the squadron’s coverage contains most of Tornado Alley. In the spring and fall, this portion of the country becomes a breeding ground for tornadoes.

Severe thunderstorms are also prevalent in this region, formed when cool, dry air from the Rocky Mountains collides with warm, moist gulf air. Average thunderstorms can quickly become major threats that spawn tornadoes, large hail and flooding rain during the spring and fall.

The southern part of the 26th coverage area is home to the hurricane-prone Gulf Coast. The squadron switches into high gear during hurricane season,. Work shifts and manpower requirements increase as members of the squadron work to provide users with up-to-date information during this dangerous season.

There are 16 bases and 52 other military sites that rely on the squadron for accurate weather forecasting.

Every five days this squadron provides 185,000 automated weather products and an additional 280 customized forecasts. This workload requires a large forecaster workforce.

Forecasters usually come straight out of the weather schoolhouse at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

While the 26th is not the initial schoolhouse for forecasters, it instead serves as a finishing school. Airmen go through 11 months of training before they are able to operate on their own.

Keeping up with Mother Nature, junior Airmen at the 26th OWS are earning their five-level job knowledge. With 121 first term Airmen filling the ranks of the 26th, this squadron is helping to provide the Air Force weather service with capable Airmen and officers.

“I try to learn something new every day” Lieutenant Davenport said.

As a recent graduate from University of Oklahoma, the lieutenant said he enjoys working for the Air Force.

“There is more impact here than in the civilian sector,” Lieutenant Davenport said. “Your work here really makes a difference.”

The lieutenant said that he has also been impressed with his co-workers and subordinates.

“This is a very professional crew, these Airmen are dedicated and they do an awesome job,” the lieutenant said.

These Airmen provide forecasting service to a coverage area that is home to expensive and important Air Force airframes, including the majority of the Air Force bomber fleet and undergraduate pilot training bases, he said..

Barksdale, Whiteman AFB, Mo., Dyess AFB, Texas, Laughlin AFB, Texas, Columbus AFB, Miss., Sheppard AFB, Texas, and Vance AFB, Okla., all rely on the squadron’s weather intel.

The main customers of the squadron are Air Force and Army pilots. Flight weather briefers from the 26th provide pilots with detailed briefings that layout weather conditions for that day. Icing, turbulence and visibility are just a few of the factors that Airmen must brief pilots.

The wide variety of aircrews pose a challenge for a flight weather briefer.

“We brief a lot of aircraft and must know the hazards for each,” said Senior Airman Jennifer Nunn, flight brief manager. “We oversee a lot of the training bases and a lot of the training aircraft are not equipped with de-icing equipment.”

This aircraft knowledge allows a flight briefer to provide aircraft-specific briefings. The expertise shown by Airman in this career field helps prevent catastrophes.

The forecasters within the squadron are doing more than just predicting weather, she said. Ultimately, they help to protect Air Force assets and aircrew lives. The critical information they provide helps flyers plan safer routes, avoid weather hazards and stay ahead of Mother Nature.