Weather News from Afghanistan

Marines Test New Weather Sensor
Marine Aircraft Group 40
Story by Lance Cpl. Gregory Aalto
Date: 09.19.2009
Posted: 09.19.2009 08:38


KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Weather forecasters with Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan continue to test the new expeditionary meteorological sensor weather observance system in southern Afghanistan during combat operations in the area.

In just a few months, these systems have provided more reliable and up-to-date information for mission planners to use in order to make planning adjustments due to inclement weather forecasts.

"In the past, reliable, real-time observational data came from a human being. Now we can emplace a sensor to perform that function," said Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Fairbank, a forecaster with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, Marine Aircraft Group 40.

The system uses Iridium phone technology to send information to a satellite, which then relays the information to a Web site where forecasters can retrieve the data and provide updates to those Marines planning missions in the area.

Fairbanks added that the current system, the automated weather observing system, is still in use throughout Afghanistan while this new system is tested.

"Nothing beats the 'calibrated eye' of an observer on the ground, but the XMET helps out immensely with day-to-day operations," said Fairbank.

The $25,000 XMET system was developed by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a graduate school at the University of California, San Diego. Along with the updated information provided by the XMET, the simple and compact design cuts down on setup time from hours to minutes.

"I prefer the XMET over the old system. It's simple and comes in one box rather than four," said Cpl. Bryan Weingart II, a weather observer with MWSS-371.

For some of the weather observers throughout MEB-Afghanistan, this is their first deployment to a combat zone and the first time they've worked with this weather tracking and analysis gear. This new system has allowed them the opportunity to travel to various forward operating bases to set-up the XMET and see how the information gathered is used for mission planning.

"[Being a weather Marine] is essentially the same from garrison to a combat environment. This is the first time younger Marines actually get to see how their job fits into the big picture and how important it really is," said Fairbank.

This new system has been an added asset for MEB-Afghanistan weather forecasters to accurately track weather patterns throughout the area. Due to the success of recent tests, additional XMET systems are scheduled for use at additional bases as the MEB continues to operations in southern Afghanistan.