News>Weather Flight conducts joint training exercise
Story at a Glance
• Keeping field skills sharp and ready • Weather Airmen and Marines do the same job • "If it isn't raining, it isn't training"
Photos
Senior Airman Robert T. Zweber, 208th Weather Flight of the Minnesota Air National Guard, pounds stakes into the ground to hold down a lightning detector at William O’Brien State Park Apr. 13, 2012. Sixteen members of the 208th along with three U.S. Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis are taking part in a field training exercise. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson
Lance Corporal Tyler Nielson from Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center aims a light while setting up a camp site at William O’Brien Sate Park on the St. Croix River in Minnesota Apr. 13, 2012. Sixteen members of the 208th Weather Flight of the Minnesota Air National Guard, along with three U.S. Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis are taking part in a field training exercise. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson
Technical Sergeant Craig Von Holton from the 208th Weather Flight of the Minnesota Air National Guard, uses a Kestral weather meter to obtain wind speed during a field training exercise at William O’Brien State Park Apr. 13, 2012. Sixteen members of the 208th along with three U.S. Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis are taking part in a field training exercise. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson
Lance Corporal Brandon Bergman of the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center provides over watch while Mathew Bowers of the 208th Weather Flight of the Minnesota Air National Guard, calls in a GPS location Apr. 13, 2012. Sixteen members of the 208th along with three U.S. Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis are taking part in a field training exercise. USAF by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson
Airmen with the 208th Weather Flight of the Minnesota Air National Guard consult their Airman’s Manual to confirm the presence of simulated unexploded ordnance from a safe distance. Sixteen members of the 208th along with three U.S. Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center are taking part in a field training exercise at William O’Brien State Park on the St. Croix River in Minnesota Apr. 13, 2012. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson
Senior Airman Christopher Church from the 208th Weather Flight of the Minnesota Air National Guard secures a night vision headset prior to beginning night vision training. Sixteen members of the 208th along with three U.S. Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis are taking part in a field training exercise at William O’Brien State Park on the St. Croix River in Minnesota Apr. 13, 2012. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson
Master Sgt. Kyle A. Mack from the 208th Weather Flight of the Minnesota Air National Guard breaks eggs into a bowl in preparation for making pancakes from scratch for 208th Airmen. Sixteen members of the 208th along with three U.S. Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis are taking part in a field training exercise at William O’Brien State Park on the St. Croix River in Minnesota Apr. 14, 2012. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson
Senior Airman Robert T. Zweber from the 208th Weather Flight of the Minnesota Air National Guard shaves outside in the frigid early morning light at William O’Brien State Park on the St. Croix River, MN Apr. 14, 2012. Sixteen members of the 208th along with three U.S. Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis are taking part in a field training exercise during week of Apr. 8, 2012. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson
Senior Airman Craig M. Vonholtum from the 208th Weather Flight of the Minnesota Air National Guard and Lance Corporal Brandon Bergman from Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center secure their gas masks during a simulated chemical attack Apr. 14, 2012. Sixteen members of the 208th along with three U.S. Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis are taking part in a field training exercise during week of Apr. 8, 2012. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson
by Airman 1st Class Jessica Reller
133rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
4/19/2012 - Near Stillwater, Minn. -- In rainy conditions, the 208th Weather Flight, 133rd Airlift Wing, conducted a joint field training exercise at William H. O'Brien State Park April 13-15, 2012.
The sixteen Minnesota Air National Guard Airmen, along with three Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 US Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis participated in valuable hands-on training. The purpose of the training is to keep the Airmen in the flight familiar with field conditions. The flight primarily provides support for the Army which, if deployed, may establish a Forward Operating Base.
Members of the unit used their skills in tactical weather observations, self-aid buddy care, identification of improvised explosive devises and unexploded ordinances along with enemy detainment during their seven mile land navigation course. This course was designed by Master Sgt. Kyle Mack and Tech. Sgt. Joshua Uhl.
More training took place in their weather forecasting tent back at camp. Throughout the weekend, the team practiced how to continue their job during different mission oriented protective posture levels in case of an attack.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Kyle Morman was not new to working with the 208th Weather Flight, but this was his first off-site field training exercise with them. Morman stated that he was excited to be working alongside the Air Force and out in the field, "For weather, we get better training just coming over dealing with the Air Force because they are more equipped with support."
The Airmen and Marines were able to enjoy a hot meal despite the cold and rainy weather thanks to Mack. "I wanted to build the guys' morale even though that's not always how it is in the real world," he explained as he prepared pancakes and bacon for their Saturday morning breakfast.
