Face of Defense: U.S., Polish Weather Troops Partner Up

By Air Force Senior Airman Armando A. Schwier-Morales
86th Airlift Wing

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, Nov. 21, 2014 - Members of the 21st Operational Weather Squadron, part of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, and two Polish armed forces members are learning and developing skills from each other to forecast accurate and timely weather intelligence.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Yonko, 21st Operational Weather Squadron regional forecaster supervisor, shows 2nd Lt. Monika Kaczanowska, Polish armed forces meteorological and oceanographic officer, how to read and use weather predictions from the 21st Operational Weather Squadron for Europe and Africa on Kapaun Air Station, Kaiserslautern, Germany, Nov. 14, 2014. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Armando A. Schwier-Morales  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The Polish meteorological and oceanographic officers, second lieutenants Monika Kaczanowska and Daniel Kowalczyk, were given an in-depth look into the tools, systems and processes used to forecast weather for Ramstein Air Base, U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command.

Building Partnerships

"This visit allowed us to [build partnerships] with our NATO allies," said 2nd Lt. Lucas Huddleston, 21st OWS weather officer. "It made it easier for the two weather communities to help each other to get our missions done."

Huddleston and the 21st OWS team demonstrated how U.S. airmen predict and disseminate weather forecasts for military units within the Eucom and Africom areas of operation. The Polish officers received hands-on experience with U.S. weather equipment and systems.

"It's been good to share tips and tricks, culture and build a relationship," Huddleston said.

While learning from each other was the primary purpose of the mission, a side benefit was the new on- and off-duty experience gained by the Polish service members.

"We appreciate the opportunity to be here, because not many weather soldiers of our rank get to travel abroad and learn like this," Kowalczyk said.

Huddleston said an opportunity may come again for both sides as service members from each military are attempting to continue the program to share knowledge, cultural experiences and develop one another in the future.