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***image1***As part of the plan for Air Force-wide manning reductions in the communications career field, the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron’s European Weather Systems Support Cadre was deactivated in early October after providing eight years of maintenance on commercial weather measurement systems throughout the European Command.
The WSSC was activated in 1998 and primarily maintained the NATO Automated Meteorological Information System, a satellite receiver and software suite that provides near real-time weather data to combat weather teams and NATO partners throughout the theater. Because the NAMIS is used by the Army, the Navy, and the militaries of several NATO countries, technicians had a unique opportunity to travel all over the theater to train system operators.
“I enjoyed working with the members of other services and nationalities,” said Senior Airman Christopher Payne. “The Czech Air Force weather forecasters even presented our team with their coin during our visit to their Meteorological Center in Prague.”
In 1999, WSSC technicians maintained small tactical terminals in support of Operation Allied Force, the NATO bombing of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. Over the 10 weeks of the conflict, NATO aircraft flew more than 38,000 combat missions, which all relied heavily on accurate weather data for success.
“The exposure I received as a junior enlisted member was just awesome,” said Tech. Sgt. Steven Bauch, a former work center member. “Our team was on the road constantly, performing NAMIS installs and providing technical support to our customers, the weather forecasters.”
They also sustained terminals in Turkey until May 2003 as part of Operation Northern Watch. More recently, technicians have deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while serving in different capacities.
As USAFE began looking at ways to reduce manning, it was determined that the weather forecasters operating these systems could also maintain them. This is largely due to several upgrades that have transitioned the weather data collection method to an online system, reducing maintenance and travel requirements.
“It is always difficult to close down a work center, but we have provided the very best training to forecasters throughout the command, so that they may pick up right where we left off,” said Master Sergeant Bradley Crum, the WSSC superintendent.
As they prepare to move on, members recalled the unique scope of the WSSC mission. “It is rare to be assigned to a place where you work on nothing but commercial-off-the-shelf equipment, but (it was) definitely a worthwhile experience to have had,” said Tech. Sgt John Wegner.
“I have received nothing but praise from customers whose systems have been maintained by the WSSC,” said Maj. Robert Gill, 1st CMXS commander. “These folks have traveled all over the European Command establishing their reputation. And most importantly, they have seen the mission successfully through to its end.”
