Polish weather officials visit Ramstein

Members of the 21st Operations Weather Squadron worked side by side with Polish Joint Meteorological and Oceanographic officers Nov. 25 to 30 on Ramstein.

The 21st OWS supports U.S. Air Force and Army airfields across Europe and Africa by providing precise timely environmental weather awareness.

“Our mission is to do forecasting for all the military airfields in Europe, we provide (forecasts) for Air Force airfields (and) Army airfields, and we also do resource protection for military sites throughout Europe,” said Capt. Zach Reinebold, 21st OWS flight commander.

The 21st OWS responsibilities entail developing weather products and weather warnings for all geographical units. They also work with and support combat weather flights to ensure accurate weather information throughout the area of responsibility during deployments and exercises.

This type of training opportunity brings U.S. and Polish military forces together in order to strengthen bonds that are shared between the two NATO allies.

In the past, the Polish METOC officers have trained with the German military, but never with the 21st OWS, until now.

This visit marks the first time the two nations have partnered to train in weather operations.

In order to receive proper training, the Polish officers were embedded and immersed with day-to-day activities on the  21st OWS operation floor.

The Polish METOC also visited with the 7th Weather Squadron, headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany.

They stopped by the 5th Detachment of the 7th WS in Illesheim and observed weather Airmen providing decision grade weather intelligence.

The U.S. armed forces and their Polish counterparts are able to build relations through such training exercises.

“We are here to observe the procedures for airfield support,” said Capt. Piotr Pitura, METOC officer.

The Polish weather units understand the U.S. has a much larger area of responsibility, forecasting for all of European Command and Air Forces Africa. The Polish representatives learned first-hand on how the weather squadrons completed their mission.