NEWSLETTER Vol. 10, No. 1 January 1996 HAMPTON, VIRGINIA REUNION 1 - 5 MAY 1996 --- DON'T MISS IT A checklist may help. ( ) Check all your 1996 calendars now, and for the period 1 - 5 May, write in AWA Hampton Reunion. ( ) Read about the Reunion program below. ( ) Determine the time you can spend at the Reunion ______________________ May 1996. ( ) If you need a room, call the Holiday Inn at 1-800-842-9370 and reserve a room now or well before 1 April 1996 to guarantee you receive the AWA Reunion rates. Your hotel room confirmation number is:_________________. ( ) Complete the enclosed (yellow) registration form and mail it with payment of fees to Don Farrington, the AWA Reunion organizer. Mail it to reach Don before 15 March if you want to be eligible for the chance to win your Reunion hotel room free. All registrations have to be received by Don before 10 April 1996 or you will not be able to attend. Keep a copy of the registration form for your records--- your canceled check will be your confirmation. ( ) Check with AWA friends & colleagues (and Unit Chairperson if required) to continue your planning and preparation for a fully rewarding Reunion. ( ) When you arrive at the Holiday Inn in Hampton, check as soon as possible with the Reunion Information desk in the AWA hospitality room (hotel ballroom). Reunion committee members at the desk will provide you with the appropriate tickets and detailed schedules for all activities. Plan today --- register tomorrow --- don't wait or you may have to dine in the overflow banquet rooms or miss out completely. Remember, over 800 members, spouses and guests attended the last reunion in Tucson (Oct. '94) and more attendees are possible in Hampton, Virginia, 1 - 5 May 1996. Do not hesitate to call, write or e-mail Don Farrington or Kevin Lavin if more information is needed. See details below. AF WEATHER PROGRAMS 1995 - 1996 by Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Lennon Air Force Director of Weather As we move into 1996, we see another year of opportunities and challenges for Air Force Weather. During the last six months we restructured some programs and refocused our efforts on improving support to the warfighter, striving towards enabling the warfighter to anticipate and exploit the weather. Many of these efforts will come into effect in 1996 and I want to take this opportunity to give you information on a few of these programs. BACK to BASICS: This is an integrated series of efforts restructuring the roles and responsibilities within the career field from both the enlisted and the officer sides. We have instituted new training programs at the Keesler AFB schoolhouse, started an Initial Skills Course for Officers, and revamped the roles of our AFSCs. On the enlisted side, we have restructured the roles of the different skill levels and developed a building block career path for the career field from 3 through 9 level with different tasks targeted for each skill level. Officers will spend the majority of their company grade careers in the weather station. This serves two main purposes. First, it allows us to take better advantage of the scientific training the Air Force is purchasing through these officer assessions. Second, it brings these officers more in line with the rest of the Air Force where company grade time is spent in their "weapon system." REGIONALIZATION. Our goal is to have our AF Global Weather Central (AFGWC) at Offutt AFB begin worldwide regionalization efforts. Recently, a special EUCOM support cell was activated. Unlike previous regionalization efforts, this scheme is intended to produce products tailored for direct operator/warfighter use. AFGWC isn't replacing weather stations, rather AFGWC is providing longer-range forecast information in more "user friendly" products. This information is well beyond the capabilities of the average weather station. The folks at GWC are working with industry to incorporate modern visualization techniques to provide quickly understandable products for the user. TACTICAL FORECAST SYSTEM: TFS provides a powerful processor with a truly first-in capability for our deploying forces. Advances in computer and communications technology have given us the chance to provide enhanced support in a forward based area, even on a bare base with the forecaster operating in a tent. We tested this at the BRIGHT STAR 95 exercise and TFS got rave reviews from operators and weather troops alike. SMALL TACTICAL TERMINAL. STT is another significant advancement in deployed support. STT gives us the capability to ingest high resolution satellite data, apply enhancements as needed, and ship it directly to an ops center. Best of all, it is going down to the base level, no more depending on an AFFOR or ARFOR for an interpretation of what they see on the picture. Combined with TFS, this takes a giant step in providing battlefield decision makers the capability to anticipate and exploit the weather. COMBAT WEATHER FACILITY. It's nice to put new equipment out in the field, but not a good idea if you don't train people how to use it. The CWF at Hurlburt Field, Florida is charged with training our men and women on new equipment and finding new methods of exploiting these new capabilities to enhance our combat readiness. Recently designated by Air Force Secretary Widnall as the Air Force's first reinvention laboratory, CWF is moving into new arenas of doctrine and exercise development to help hone AF Weather combat skills. MODELING AND SIMULATION. As the Department of Defense Executive Agent for Air and Space Natural Environmental Modeling and Simulation, Air Force Weather is striving to incorporate realistic weather scenarios into emerging models and battle simulations. Through this medium, we are attempting to educate decision makers on the importance of considering the weather when planning the battle. We want to be a true force multiplier when the conflict moves from the computer to reality. As I started out saying, these are only a few of our hot topics. I believe the focus on support to the warfighter is a return to the roots of weather service. To move ahead with today's leaner force and tighter budgets, our past experiences and rich Air Force Weather heritage are important lessons that we need to use to ensure our future success. As such, I have directed the staff to return to the original Air Weather Service emblem and motto; Coelum ad Proelium Elige, Choose the Weather for Battle. WHAT'S NEW ON-LINE? Many AWA members have the capability at home or at the office to use personal computers for electronic mailing, browsing the World Wide Web and developing home pages. Considering suggestions from many members, we added e-mail addresses to the AWA Roster. You will find them at the back of the January 1996 roster. To add your address to the file, e-mail a note to AirWeaAssn@aol.com. We will try to maintain the list at this e-mail address and make it available to AWA members who request it, but not for commercial purposes. C. W. Tazewell of Virginia Beach has continued to voluntarily build and maintain the AWA Home Page on the Internet World Wide Web at: http://www.infi.net/~cwt/awa.html Look for up to date reunion information on the home page as well as links to many other weather and Air Force related home pages. Thanks to SSgt Steve Elliott, the AWS Public Affairs NCOIC, and many others at Scott AFB, the Air Weather Service Home Page is now accessible to all at: Hq AWS Web Site AWA Newsletter Editor: J. Kevin Lavin Published at least annually by the Air Weather Association, 6704 Wolke Court, Montgomery, Alabama 36116-2134. Tel: (334) 271-3246; FAX: (334) 213-0388 e-mail: AirWeaAssn@aol.com Subscription rates: Free to AWA members as part of their lifetime membership and complimentary to AF Weather units. For membership applications write to: AWA, 1879 Cole Road, Aromas CA 95004 -9617. Submit newsletter items directly to the Editor for publication in the next edition. APPLYING GRADUATE STUDENT RESOURCES TOWARDS OPERATIONAL AF PROBLEMS PARTICULARLY IN THE BASE WEATHER STATION New Initiatives at the AF Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio by Col. Ronald D. Townsend, AFIT Commander "I heard you got an AFIT assignment! Great! Where are you going --- Penn State, Texas A&M...?" That short conversation has been repeated many times over the past years. But, if you were to have that conversation today, you would have to add Wright-Patterson AFB to the total list of possible destinations. Beginning with the 1995-1996 academic year, the Air Force Institute of Technology is offering an in-residence, graduate meteorology program focused on combat weather. AFIT's in-residence, graduate meteorology program was created at the request of Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Lennon, Air Force Director of Weather, who wanted a program focusing on military meteorology. The program's concept was approved by the AF Air University in May 1995 and, less than two months later, the new faculty and staff were in place at Wright-Patterson AFB. The first class of nine students began studies in September 1995 and will graduate in March 1997. The purpose of the in-residence, meteorology program is to produce mission-ready, advanced weather officers who are capable of meeting the technical challenges of military meteorology. Military applications are emphasized throughout the entire curriculum. Instead of fostering narrow specialization, the in-residence program provides a broad meteorological education, preparing weather officers for the technical challenges encountered throughout an Air Force career. The AFIT program is designed to accommodate up to 15 meteorology students in each class. Their research will focus on the needs of military meteorology and improving weather support to Air Force and Army combat operations. The in-residence program complements civilian institutions' meteorology programs, but does not replace them. The Air Force will continue to send students to civilian institutions for education in areas where the AFIT program offers little expertise. However, the in-residence program differs from its civilian counterpart in military emphasis and length. It leads to a master's degree in 18 months compared to 21 months for typical civilian university programs. The in-residence program is built around an integrated course of study with an entire quarter devoted to research. The course work is divided into three areas: core courses, applications courses, and electives. The core courses consist of classes in advanced dynamic meteorology, radiative transfer, and advanced synoptic meteorology. These core courses have graduate level prerequisites in dynamic meteorology, physical meteorology and synoptic meteorology; students who meet the prerequisites may choose additional electives in their place. The applications sequence consists of courses in mesoscale meteorology, numerical weather prediction, satellite meteorology, tropical meteorology, radar meteorology, and climatology. Electives include courses in applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Synoptic meteorology and the applications courses will use the meteorology lab extensively. The meteorology lab consists of a NEXRAD workstation, four Sun SPARC 20 workstations, a suite of observing equipment and personal computers, and an Interactive Video Disk training system. The SPARC 20s will host the Tactical Forecast System software which is a follow-on to the Automated Weather Distribution System (AWDS) software. This combat weather capability plus other software packages will enable the students to do world-wide synoptic and climatological studies using weather data from the Air Force Global Weather Central, the National Weather Service's National Centers for Environmental Prediction and other weather centers. In addition, AFIT will have a software package which will enable students to do research improving the NEXRAD algorithms to better meet Defense Department needs. AFIT has four faculty members dedicated to the in-residence graduate programs in meteorology and space environmental support. The faculty and staff are: Lt Col Mike Walters, Maj Jason Tuell, Maj (sel) Cliff Dungey, Capt Derrill Goldizen and MSgt Pete Rahe. General Lennon, who recently visited with the first meteorology class, said many of the students would immediately return to the base weather station (BWS) to provide technical leadership. The new vision is to put more advanced degreed officers in the field, focusing on reaping the full benefits of all the new BWS technologies, such as NEXRAD and AWDS. The AFIT in-residence meteorology program prepares weather officers to implement this new vision. AFIT-educated weather officers will be ready to make immediate contributions because of their broad meteorological education and emphasis on combat weather applications. AFIT has a history of responding quickly to the changing needs of the Air Force--- creating new educational programs designed to meet new and evolving technologies. The new in-residence graduate meteorology program is a clear example of AFIT meeting Air Force needs in a timely and meaningful way. The program will produce mission-ready advanced weather officers who can respond to challenges ranging from leading tomorrow's high technology base weather stations to providing highly technical staff meteorological services in support of research and acquisition programs. REPORT TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS by Col. Joseph D. Dushan, Commander, Air Weather Service Greetings from Air Weather Service! I welcome this opportunity to update Air Weather Association members, our "extended family" and shareholders, on the progress we've made in the past year and where the team is headed in 1996. You've already seen a number of our initiatives discussed in Observer magazine articles. We're pressing forward with a variety of programs to train and equip Air Force Weather (AFW) forces for the demanding tasks ahead. Equipment modernization activities range from much improved software for the Automated Weather Distribution System (AWDS), the world's premiere weather production capability, to a more robust Manual Observing System, complete with hand-held, off-the-shelf tactical observing devices for first-in weather teams, to the Small Tactical Terminal, a man-portable, deployment ready meteorological satellite imagery receiver and display system. We've also had rave reviews during demonstrations of our Tactical Forecast System (TFS). The TFS will integrate AWDS functionality on standard Air Force laptop computers and workstations to make quantum improvements to weather go-to-war capabilities. Extensive TFS field tests will begin in July 1996. New tools are only a small part of the story, however. I believe the most significant contribution Air Weather Service can make is sponsoring a return to fundamentals. Colonel Bill Barney talked about this point in his LEADERSHIP: A Treatise for AWS Commanders, published in March 1955. Many of you may remember it: "The fundamentals upon which our service is based should always be stressed. If your observer, analyst, or forecaster understands the fundamentals of his specialty, his work is smooth and effortless. If properly led, he will continue to perform in a consistently superior manner. Superior observing and forecasting sections make superior detachments. The effectiveness of the Air Weather Service is a composite of the sums of the effectiveness of our detachments. Our reputation is made at the detachment level." Organizations, uniforms, equipment, and names may be different, but this basic principle is as fresh now as it was 40 years ago. After the first step, recreating functional teamwork and cooperation, the Air Weather Service focus turned to training. We conducted about 70 training reviews and seminars in base and post weather stations around the world in 1995. We'll keep up the pace this year. The AFW Standardization & Evaluation Program permits an assessment of unit technical competence and an opportunity to redirect technical school curricula. We've reintroduced the Operations Digest to circulate technical information rapidly. Another terrific initiative is MetTIPs, a CD-ROM, point and click training package and technical guide covering topics from shift change and meteorological discussions to analysis and forecast development, Metwatch and radar. Future versions will be tailored to specific regions and locations. Where are we in Air Weather Service? On the move! From the new regional focus at Air Force Global Weather Central to the warfighter visualizations and long-range predictive climatologies at our newly renamed Air Force Combat Climatology Center (nee USAFETAC) at Scott AFB, to the expanding capabilities at the Combat Weather Facility, Hurlburt Field, Florida, a Secretary of the Air Force Reinvention Lab, we're bringing a solid capability to our warfighting customers. Best of all, your colleagues in today's Air Weather Service are doing so with lots of great spirit, discipline, dedication and energy. FROM AFGWC --- Col. Jack Hayes, Commander, and Col. Tom Accola, Vice Commander, of the Air Force Global Weather Central at Offutt AFB, Nebraska write that General Lennon and Colonel Dushan have already mentioned the significant "regionalization" and "visualization" projects at AFGWC in their columns. The new product line will be available via MILNET and previews may be available soon on the AFGWC Home Page which can be accessed from the Air Weather Association Home Page. Other efforts at AFGWC include atmospheric modeling initiatives focused on regional models to provide better resolution aids for field weather forecasters and better resolution products for direct use by warfighters and decision makers at all levels. AFGWC is also working on enhancements to better predict contrails (did you know AFGWC was the first to produce automated contrail forecasts--- that was in 1958). AFGWC is also expanding its role as the newly-designated DoD center of expertise for meteorological satellites and redoubling cooperative efforts with counterparts in the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. Please come and visit your AFGWC--- experience these exciting changes in person. If you have worked here in the past, you won't immediately notice anything different in the ole' Martin Bomber building. You won't see the fiber optic cables that link the individual workstations with the main database and offices with each other and we probably won't show you the file servers that are our gateway to the outside world. You will, however, see how we are using the very latest tools, techniques and technology to insure our work adds value to DoD operations worldwide. For more information or to arrange a visit, contact our Public Affairs NCO, SSgt Mona Bonick, at 402-294-3115. AFGWC Web Site SOMEONE MISSING? --- HELP YOUR AWA GROW When you check the new AWA Roster and note someone is not listed, you can help your Association grow by sending the enclosed membership application to that person. Many individuals do not yet know the AWA exists. With your urging they may join and attend the May 1996 reunion. Copy the application if you can and provide it to others. Keep copies on file for the right occasions. Have you considered giving a membership in the Association? It makes a swell "I'm thinking of you, 'ol friend" gift. This also applies to the surviving spouse of a former weather service person. For more applications or membership information write to the AWA Treasurer, Cliff Kern, 1879 Cole Road, Aromas CA 95004-9617 or e-mail Cliff at: 76476.1663@compuserve.com IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, PLEASE TAKE THE TIME NOW TO CHECK YOUR PERSONAL DATA IN THE JANUARY 1996 ROSTER. If any changes are required, even if it is just an area code or ZIP code change, please send them as soon as possible to Freeman Smith, the AWA locator. His snail mail and e-mail addresses are on the Roster's front cover. ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOWNSIZING--- The AIR FORCE ALREADY HAS by CMSgt. Jim Hoy AF Weather Senior Enlisted Advisor As the enlisted force of the Air Force changed since 1991, so has the enlisted force of Air Force Weather. I was reading Thor's Legions by John Fuller and I came upon the sentence, "AWS was a relatively small population, averaging approximately 11,500 from 1950 until the budget reductions of the early 1970s...." That number included officers, enlisted and civilians. Today, we're smaller with a total of 3,700 personnel. Of those, there are 2,450 enlisted at a few less sites than in l950. For a more recent comparison--- before the restructuring of AWS in 1991 we had 42 chief master sergeant positions; today there are 17. We have six retirements programmed for 1996 and picked up 4 selectees in the 1995 chiefs cycle, leaving 15 on-board. The current enlisted weather force authorized is: 17 chief master sergeants, 54 senior master sergeants, 251 master sergeants, 369 technical sergeants, 667 staff sergeants and 1,066 airmen. How's the force distributed these days? Chiefs occupy billets at the major commands, like Air Combat Command at Langley AFB and Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB plus positions at the Air Staff and at Headquarters Air Weather Service and its subordinate organizations. There are four weather squadrons that have chiefs. Senior master sergeants run large weather stations, or work at the major commands on the director of weather's staff or at the Air Weather Service field operating agency. Master sergeants run the vast majority of weather stations, managing airmen through technical sergeants in the performance of weather operations. During 1995, those operations took Air Force Weather people on temporary duty to: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Turkey, Italy, United Kingdom, Ecuador, Honduras, Haiti, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines, Korea, The Marianas, Croatia, France, Puerto Rico, Spain, Kenya and Canada. Many active duty members reading that list will be quick to point out the countries I left out. But, the point is --- although we have downsized, the level of operations remains at a fever pitch at many units in Air Force Weather. AWA HAMPTON '96 REUNION WHEN: 1-5 May 1996 WHERE: Holiday Inn, Hampton-Coliseum, Hotel & Conference Center, Hampton, Virginia. WHO: Members of this association, their spouses and their guests who are not eligible for membership. WHY: Our biennial gathering and expecting this reunion to surpass our last reunion in Tucson. WHAT: A low-cost program at an excellent hotel with something for everyone, including individual unit get togethers. We offer the best in camaraderie and nostalgia for our members. HOW MUCH: Just $65 buys hosted hospitality bars for 4 days, two dinner functions, chartered bus transportation to local attractions in the Hampton area, the Air Combat Command (ACC) Heritage of America, Blue Aces Band music and much more. REUNION REGISTRATION Enclosed you will find the yellow REGISTRATION form. Send that registration form in early with full payment of fees to be eligible for the free hotel room drawing (it must be received by the 15th of March to be eligible). If you subsequently have to cancel, we have a very generous cancellation policy (see registration form). It does not pay to delay sending in your registration. NO ONE will be registered after 10 April or at the reunion. Registrations that arrive at the reunion organizer's office after 10 April will be returned to the originators. WHY THE 10 APRIL CUTOFF? WHY CAN'T WE REGISTER AT THE REUNION? The short answer is--- we are under contract for tours, buses, meals and printing for our reunion program. We must give vendors both money and numbers of participants as much as two weeks prior to a scheduled activity. All the bookkeeping is being done by the Reunion Organizer in Georgia. Add in mail time to the vendors in Hampton and 10 April is the latest date to meet the contract terms. We could pad the price of meals and tours by additional dollars and have extra money to allow later cancellations and registrations. However, this association charges you just the cost of an activity. By having full-charters, not accepting walk-in registrations, and having volunteer workers who also pay to attend, we have been able to make these reunions affordable for the greatest percentage of AWA members. HOTEL RESERVATIONS AWA REUNION HEADQUARTERS WILL BE AT THE HOLIDAY INN HAMPTON HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER near the Hampton Coliseum. The largest number of rooms available (280) have been blocked for AWA members at the Holiday Inn. As of 15 January 1996, 155 of those rooms had been reserved. More rooms have been blocked at two adjacent hotels to cover overflow. The Holiday Inn has an indoor pool and many of the inside rooms overlook the pool and lounge area. The conference center in the hotel will hold our hospitality area and main dining functions. We were able to secure a low rate of $62 per room for single/double/triple or quad occupancy at the Holiday Inn. This rate will be honored for AWA members for the period 25 April through 9 May (based on availability) for the benefit of those who want to arrive early and/or stay after the reunion. All rates will be subject to local taxes which are currently 10%. The Holiday Inn will process all reservations and when the room block is filled, they will begin assigning members to the adjacent Hampton Inn and Quality Inn & Suites. The rate for the Hampton Inn will be $52 per room. The rates for the Quality Inn & Suites are $65 for junior suites; $55 for rooms. NOTE: THE HOTEL'S CUT-OFF DATE is 1 APRIL 1996 for guaranteed reservations at the reunion discounted rates. You must reserve at least two nights in order to stay at the Reunion headquarters, Holiday Inn. Local residents and others that may only want to stay at the hotel one night, will be provided room at the overflow hotels. In order to be certain of having a hotel room, you have to personally reserve a room with the Holiday Inn Hampton reservation agents AND the reunion organizer must receive your reunion registration form by 10 April 1996. Room reservations will be canceled for all those who have not registered for the reunion with the association. In short, we have bought out the hotel for reunion attendees only. For room reservations use the form on the next page or better yet, call the Holiday Inn Hampton at 1-800-842-9370 or 1-804-838-0200, request the reservations department and identify yourself as an Air Weather Association member. All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card number or a deposit in the amount of one night's room and tax. The reservation agent will give you a confirmation number. Do it NOW! MORE AWA REUNION DETAILS TRAVEL: REUNION AIRLINES US AIR and UNITED AIRLINES will provide AWA members special reunion rates to/from the airport in Norfolk, VA and the airport in Williamsburg/Newport News, VA. You will find that US AIR has better coverage in the eastern US while UNITED AIRLINES has better coverage out West. Telephone their toll-free 800 numbers and give them the appropriate AWA discount code number. Your travel agent can also check these special rates for you while trying to find you the best travel arrangements to fit your schedule and budget. United Airlines - call 1-800-521-4041 and refer to ID Number 561WN US Air - call 1-800-334-8644 and refer to Gold File Number 19900270 RENTAL CAR If you need a rental car, United Airlines has 10 % discount deals with Avis and Alamo Rental Car Companies and they can book that rental car when you make airline reservations with them. US Air has a discount package with Hertz and Alamo. Before you agree to a rental car contract over the phone, make certain you check on the location of the rental car company relative to the airport you are arriving at. The Williamsburg/Newport News Airport may not have all rental car companies in close proximity. Norfolk Airport, being larger, may have more rental car companies nearby. DRIVING TO THE REUNION See the map printed in the paper newsletter with the information on how to reach the Holiday Inn Hampton-Coliseum Hotel & Conference Center. AIRPORT PICKUP The Holiday Inn Hampton-Coliseum Hotel will have 2 vans that will be used to operate a shuttle service to and from the Norfolk, VA Airport and the Williamsburg/Newport News, VA Airport. Please indicate on the back of the yellow Reunion Registration Form: your arrival airport; airline; date/time; whether or not you will need to be picked up; and the number in your party. After arrival you can call the hotel for pick-up if the van is not at the airport already. You may have to wait a short time at the airport if you have not provided your arrival information in advance or many attendees are arriving at the same time. Please do not hold up sending in your registration form if you do not have firm arrival information early. You can always send in your airline information later. AIRPORT DROP OFF after Reunion At the Reunion Information Desk in the AWA hospitality room, you will be asked to sign up for transportation to the airport. You will need to provide your airline departure information at that time. Two shuttle vans will be available to take attendees to the two airports. TRAVEL TO/FROM REUNION ACTIVITIES Tour buses are being contracted to carry reunion attendees between the Holiday Inn and the scheduled tour locations. Transportation for the Wednesday afternoon, 1 May, golf and tennis tournaments will be by available cars and vans. If you need special transportation requirements during any portion of the reunion, please indicate those requirements to the reunion organizer in a note attached to your Registration Form. SEATING FOR REUNION MEAL FUNCTIONS: REGENCY BALLROOM SPACE LIMITED Allowing for the band and dance area at the Saturday banquet, the Holiday Inn Regency Ballroom can only seat 800 persons. If our banquet attendance exceeds the ballroom capacity some will have to be seated in the Hampton Room across the hall from the ballroom. You will be able to hear the band from that area, and can enter the open doors to the ballroom at any time. Therefore, seating in areas within the ballroom for the Saturday night banquet and possibly the Friday night buffet will be on a first-come basis (determined by receipt of your registration form), and controlled by the color of your name badge. We will attempt to seat all members of a unit together subject to capacity limitations of the ballroom or adjacent areas. Everyone will be assigned seating to an area (Regency Ballroom or Hampton Room) not a specific table or specific tablemates. Choose your tablemates at the reunion and reserve your seat within your assigned area with place cards (one on Friday, another for Saturday) that will be in the packet issued to you upon check-in. Send in your Registration Form early for a better chance of Regency Ballroom seating. IN ANY CASE, YOU MAY ENTER THE BALLROOM AT ANY TIME IT IS OPEN FOR HOSPITALITY, TO USE ITS BARS AND FOR DANCING. SEATING FOR TOUR LUNCHES and the GOLF COURSE DINNER will be not be restricted. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. FOOD SERVICES AVAILABLE: The Holiday Inn Reunion headquarters has full food service availability. The Holiday Inn Tivoli Gardens Restaurant will give AWA reunion attendees (wearing their AWA name badge) a 10 % discount on meals. The Tivoli Gardens Restaurant will also offer buffet breakfasts every morning in order to expedite serving the large number that could be leaving early for tours. Buffet luncheons will also be available in the same restaurant. The restaurant can accommodate up to 400 people for the buffets. There are many other restaurants in the local vicinity and throughout the greater Hampton area. A listing of local restaurants will be posted near the Reunion Information Desk. THE REUNION PROGRAM: GENERAL The AWA reunion headquarters will be located in the Regency Ballroom of the Holiday Inn, Hampton Coliseum, Hotel & Convention Center. The Ballroom will serve as the main hospitality room. It will have an AWA Reunion Information Desk for check in and for information and assistance to reunion attendees. The Information Desk will open at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 30 April 1996 to check in early arrivals. The Information Desk will then be open daily during the entire reunion period. Tables in the hospitality room can be set aside for specific units; a smokers room will also be available. Hosted hospitality bars will be available in the Regency Ballroom daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM (11:30 PM on Sat.), as part of the basic reunion package. However, in order to permit the hotel to setup for our Friday and Saturday meal functions, the Regency Ballroom will be closed from 4:00 PM to - 6:00 PM. The hospitality bars will then be open in the Williamsburg Room with a Smokers Bar set up in the adjacent Jamestown and/or Yorktown Rooms. Wednesday, 1 May 1996 09:00 AM Hospitality room and Information Desk will open (Regency Ballroom). 1:00 PM - Golf Tournament at the Langley AFB Eagle Glen Golf Course, shotgun start, Captain choice. The cost is $30 per person. Cost includes: green fees, cart, refreshments, priceless prizes and dinner at 6: 00 PM at the Golf Course Club House (chicken or ribeye steak). Rental clubs are limited; suggest you bring your own. 1:00 PM - Tennis Tournament at Bill Shivar's Centre Court Racquet Club, 12445 Warwick Blvd., in Newport News, VA. The cost is $15 per person to include refreshments, priceless prizes and 6:00 PM dinner at the Langley AFB Eagle Glen Golf Course Club House (chicken or ribeye steak). For Tennis Tournament only, no dinner, the cost is $5. 4:00 PM Hospitality bars open in the AWA hospitality room (Regency Ballroom). 6:00 PM Dinner at Langley AFB Golf Course Club House for golf and tennis players and one (1) non-golfing/tennis spouse or guest. Cost is $10 and already included in the golf and tennis packages. Space at the Golf course for dinner is limited to about 80 people. So sign up early! Thursday, 2 May 1996 07:30 AM Hospitality room and Information desk open (Regency Ballroom). 08:15 AM Colonial Williamsburg Tour I (8:15 AM - 2:45 PM) includes chartered bus transportation to and from Colonial Williamsburg, and a three hour (on foot) guided tour (25 people per guide) at three different levels of activity to select from. For further concise information, see the Colonial Williamsburg Tour Information Insert, including where to have lunch (on your own) while in Williamsburg. Cost: of tour is $30 per person (includes transportation, admission and tour guide fee); lunch is extra. TOUR SIZE WILL BE LIMITED TO 250 PEOPLE! Therefore, a second tour is also available. 10:30 AM Colonial Williamsburg Tour II (10:30 AM - 5:30 PM) includes chartered bus transportation to and from Colonial Williamsburg, and a three hour (on foot) guided tour (25 people per guide) at three different levels of activity to select from. For further concise information, see the Colonial Williamsburg Tour Information Insert, including where to have lunch (on your own) while in Williamsburg. Cost: is $30 per person (includes transportation, admission and tour guide fee); lunch is extra. TOUR SIZE WILL BE LIMITED TO 250 PEOPLE! For reunion attendees not going on the Williamsburg tour, the hospitality room will be open all day with information on local area attractions and restaurants. A Harbor Tour will also be available -- 2:00 PM Afternoon Harbor Tour on the Miss Hampton II (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM). Tour Newport News and Chesapeake Bay and see many of the large Navy ships which call Norfolk home. Boat will NOT stop at Fort Wool, as that would take an additional hour. Cost: $10. MUST HAVE 50 ATTENDEES FOR THE BOAT TO DEPART! 4:00 PM Hospitality bars open in the AWA hospitality room (Regency Ballroom). Thursday evening you are on your own. Dine at the Holiday Inn, Tivoli Gardens Restaurant (10% discount to our group), at your squadron dinner party at the hotel or on the town. Contact your unit/squadron representative as appropriate (the 15th and 20th WS, the 17th WS and the 18th WS are planning events -- see the UNIT REUNION information below.) 10:00 PM Hospitality room closes. COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG TOUR INFO: Today, after years of restoration, Colonial Williamsburg is once again a vibrant eighteenth-century community. Some 500 buildings (88 of which are original) and seventy gardens are spread over 173 acres. Homes, taverns, shops, horse-drawn carriages, and costumed "people of the past" bring the colonial era to life. Watch artisans such as gunsmiths, silversmiths and printers. Also, discover what life in the Continental Army was like. Conduct legal business in the Courthouse of 1770. Dine in an authentic colonial tavern (on your own). See Williamsburg (on the eve of the American Revolution) when it was the capital of Virginia and the largest, richest and most populous British colony in the New World. Discover within its boundaries, where George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and other patriots met to frame the principles of liberty we hold dear. Feel the spirit of early America in Colonial Williamsburg--- the largest living history museum in the country. Hope to see you on TOUR I or II. TOUR I (AM) 8:15 AM-2:45 PM (250 People Max) 8:15 AM: Buses arrive at Holiday Inn and begin to load. 8:45 AM: Buses depart for Colonial Williamsburg. 9:30 AM: Buses arrive at Colonial Williamsburg and pick up tour guides and tickets at tour office. Buses then drop off passengers at eastern end of Colonial Williamsburg to begin the walking tour (25 persons per guide). 12:30 PM: Tour ends and lunch will be at own expense at any of the many taverns/restaurants in area (see list below). 1:45 PM: Buses load from west end of Colonial Williamsburg behind Casey's. 2:00 PM: Buses depart for Holiday Inn. 2:45 PM: Buses arrive at Holiday Inn. TOUR II (PM) 10:30 AM-5:30 PM (250 People Max) 10:30 AM: Buses arrive at Holiday Inn and begin to load. 11:00 AM: Buses depart for Colonial Williamsburg. 11:45 AM: Buses arrive at Colonial Williamsburg and pick up tickets. Buses then drop off passengers near Casey's for lunch (on your own) at the many nearby taverns/restaurants. 1:15 PM: Meet tour guides at Casey's . 1:30 PM: Begin walking tour (25 persons per guide). 4:30 PM: Tour ends and buses begin to load near Casey's. 4:45 PM: Buses depart for Holiday Inn. 5:30 PM: Buses arrive at Holiday Inn. LEVEL OF TOUR ACTIVITY INFORMATION: Colonial Williamsburg is basically flat but has many interesting sites to see. Your guide will spend three hours showing you the area and the main attractions. You will have to move along quickly to see the main sites. So please decide which level of activity you want to tour at and indicate your choice on the Reunion Registration form. The levels are: AGGRESSIVE (See as much as possible in three hours) MODERATE (See a lot of the area, but not everything) EASY (no rush, leisurely pace and see a smaller amount of the area) COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG TOURS I and II RESTAURANTS and TAVERNS AVAILABLE: (Menus are posted for ease in determining what is available and the cost.) King's Arms Tavern (near The Capital) Shield's Tavern (next to Kings Arms Tavern) Chowning's Tavern (next to Court House) Merchant's Square (near Casey's pick-up/drop-off point, west end of town) Cascades Restaurant (in main visitors center, arrival area) Woodlands Grill (same area as Cascades Restaurant) Friday, 3 May 1996 Reunion attendees have many choices on this and every day. They can relax and rest, go to local shopping malls, reminisce with friends in the hospitality room, or (the better choice) reminisce with friends while taking great tours on chartered buses. 07:30 AM Hospitality room and Information desk open (Regency Ballroom). 08:15 AM Tour buses arrive for the Langley Air Force Base Tour. 08:45 AM Tour buses depart for Langley AFB. The Langley AFB Tour includes: a guided windshield tour of the base, a small air show (with bleachers for seating), a static display of a WC-130 (weather reconnaissance - "Hurricane Hunter"), F-15, F-117 (stealth fighter) and other available aircraft, a display of the latest tactical weather equipment, a command briefing at the theater, followed with a luncheon (club sandwich, salad and beverage, with a cash bar available) at the Officers and NCO clubs on the base. (We have contracted with both clubs to ensure we have enough room for all reunion attendees.) Buses will depart Langley AFB at 1:00 PM and return to the Holiday Inn by 1:30 PM. Cost: $18 per person (includes lunch). Friday AFTERNOON, FIVE TOUR CHOICES will be available AFTER 1:30 PM when the buses return to the Holiday Inn from the Langley AFB tour. Read about each tour carefully. Based on your time availability, you may only be able to choose one tour for Friday afternoon. However, the same tours will be available to you again on Saturday morning and afternoon. 1:30 PM Buses will depart Holiday Inn on a shuttle schedule for tours to: (1) The new Virginia Air and Space Center in downtown Hampton. (Hours of operation: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM) Cost: $7 per person for a tour of the Official Visitors Center for NASA Langley Research Center and trace the evolution of flight and man's conquest of space, and see one of the following IMAX films at the time listed: Africa, The Serengeti at 10AM, 12 Noon, 1PM and 2PM; Antarctica at 3PM; or Destiny In Space at 11AM and 4PM daily. Allow 3 hours for the tour and one IMAX film. Outside the Center is the Hampton Carousel built in 1920 --- take a spin on it while you wait for the bus! (2) Harbor Tour on the Miss Hampton II (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM) for a two-hour harbor tour to see Newport News and Chesapeake Bay and many of the Navy ships which call Norfolk home. Boat will NOT stop at Fort Wool as that would take an additional hour. Cost: $10 per person. MUST HAVE 50 ATTENDEES FOR THE BOAT TO DEPART. Maximum number allowed is 137! The dock for the Miss Hampton II is close to the Air and Space Center and the Hampton Carousel. This will allow the AWA Reunion buses to have one stopping point for all three attractions. On a space available basis, Reunion attendees who wish to just tour the center of Hampton on their own will also be able to use the shuttle buses arriving /departing at this same point. (3) The Casement Museum at Fort Monroe tour will be available to see the historical fort (the largest stone fort ever built in the US) and the area, and the part it played in the Civil War. (Hours of operation: 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM) See where Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned after the Civil War; and walk the corridors that once hosted President Lincoln, Lieutenant Robert E. Lee and a young sergeant major named Edgar Allan Poe. Allow 90 minutes for the complete tour. Cost: $1 donation to the Casemate Museum Foundation. (4) Mariners Museum (Hours of operation: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM) for a tour to see more than 3,000 years of seafaring history. The museum showcases America's most extensive Maritime collection spread out through 15 galleries filled with authentic figureheads, ship models, vintage boats from five continents, costumed interpreters, and an award-winning adventure film. Allow up to two hours to see this fantastic museum. Cost: $3 per person. There is also a 550-acre park, that surrounds the museum, that features The Noland Trail, a 5-mile trail with 14 pedestrian bridges and four scenic overlook sites. (5) War Memorial Museum of Virginia (Hours of operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) for a tour to see over 50,000 artifacts on display which document America's wars from 1775 to the present. Allow up to 1 to 2 hours for tour. Cost: $1 donation. NOTE: For the five tours, transportation will be provided by a shuttle bus that will make round trips starting at the Holiday Inn Hotel each hour on the half hour. The War Memorial and the Mariners Museums are on the Northern route and downtown Hampton, the Air and Space Center, Miss Hampton II boat tour and the Casement Museum are on the Southern route. 4:00 PM Hospitality bars open in the AWA alternate hospitality room (Williamsburg Room; the Regency Ballroom will be closed to prepare for the evening buffet dinner). 5:30 PM The last of the shuttle tour buses arrive at the Holiday Inn. 7:00 PM buffet dinner for all Reunion attendees (Regency Ballroom and adjacent rooms). Name cards can be placed on the table of your choice just prior to dinner. Rooms will open by 6:30 PM. MENU: Sliced Roast Beef A Jus, Grilled Chicken Breast with White Wine Sauce, Seafood Neuburg, Fresh Garden Green Salad with choice of 3 dressings, Red Bliss Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Seasonal Vegetables, Chocolate Mousse, Assorted Pies, Carrot Cake, Rolls & Butter; Coffee (reg. & decaf.) and Tea. 10:00 PM Hospitality rooms close. Saturday, 4 May 1996 07:30 AM Hospitality room and Information desk open (Regency Ballroom). 08:30 AM Tour buses begin shuttle service to and from the five tour locations previously discussed in the Friday afternoon schedule. The shuttle buses will make a round trip starting at the hotel at half past each hour. The only restriction on tour times is for the Miss Hampton II Harbor Tours which leave at the following times and have a minimum number (50) which must be present for the boat to depart. Boat Departure Times: 9:00 AM; 12:00 noon and 3:00 PM. 4:00 PM Hospitality bars open in the AWA alternate hospitality room (Williamsburg Room; the Regency Ballroom will be closed to prepare for the banquet.) 5:30 PM The last of the shuttle tour buses arrive at the Holiday Inn. 7:00 PM Also included in the reunion package our banquet dinner which will be served at 7:00 PM in your designated seating area. Doors will open by 6:30 PM to place your name cards at your choice seat. Also, display the entree choice ticket at your place setting. MENU: Boston Bib Lettuce with Baby Shrimp and Celery Dressing; ENTREES: Prime Rib of Beef with Horseradish Sauce, Stuffed Chicken Breast with Apple Almond or Broiled Lemon Sol; Baked Stuffed Potato with Sour Cream & Chives & Bacon Bits; Julienne of Fresh Vegetables; Cherries Jubilee; Rolls & Butter; Coffee (reg. & decaf.) and Tea. A short Awards Program is being planned for just before or just after the dinner. The 1995 Air Force Weather Outstanding Company Grade Officer, Senior NCO, NCO, Airman and Civilian of the Year will hopefully be guests of the AWA that evening. If all works out as planned, the five individuals will receive the AWA John and Barbara Collens Award at the banquet. Also, the Air Combat Command Heritage of America, Blue Aces Band has accepted the AWA invitation to attend. They will provide entertainment and dance music. 11:30 PM Hospitality and banquet rooms close. Sunday, 5 May 1996 08:00 AM A Buffet Breakfast will be available until 10:30 AM in the Regency Ballroom to accommodate most of the Reunion attendees leaving that day. This is always a good time for last farewells and for discussing plans for future reunions. MENU: Assorted Fruit Basket; Assorted Fruit & Vegetable Juices; Fluffy Scrambled Eggs; Home Fries Potatoes; Bacon, Sausage & Ham; Biscuits with Fruit Preserves; Hot & Cold Cereal; Sliced Bananas & Fresh Strawberries; Breakfast Bakeries; Danish & Pastries; Coffee (reg. & decaf.) and Tea. The Cost: $10 per person must be paid when sending in your Registration form, and you will surrender a meal ticket at the meal. Those with early departure times should use the Hotel restaurant and not select this optional buffet on their Registration form. 10:30 AM AWA scheduled Reunion activities end. Hotel shuttle vans will be available Sunday to carry attendees to the two nearby airports as mentioned earlier in this newsletter. REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS planning to attend the Reunion: You must select the basic reunion package which includes the hosted bars, two meal functions, ACC Heritage of America Blue Aces Band music and the shuttle buses to local attractions. No credit will be given for omission of any of these scheduled activities. Come on, where else can you get all of that for $65? Hampton area members: give yourself and your spouse a break from the routine; have 2 meals out this week and enjoy mixing with a great crowd. In order to offer the tours at rock-bottom prices (our negotiated low military reunion group cost), buses are full charters planned at 40 passengers per bus. We will keep a standby list until more tour reservation requests permit chartering additional buses. The tour and bus reservation order is based upon receipt of your form. BEST BET - SEND YOUR REUNION REGISTRATION FORM IN EARLY!! SMOKERS ATTENTION: The reunion organizer has obtained a separate hospitality room where smoking will be permissible and it is adjacent to the main AWA hospitality room (Regency Ballroom). It will be the Smokers' Bar in the Jamestown and/or Yorktown Rooms throughout the reunion (no food service). The main AWA hospitality/ballroom, the Hampton Room, the lobby area and hallways near the ballroom have been designated no smoking areas by the hotel. In addition, about half of the rooms in the hotel have been designated NO SMOKING. The hotel's restaurant has both smoking and non-smoking areas. Units conducting a dining function on Thursday in sections of the ballroom will be in NO SMOKING areas. Time aboard the tour buses is short and smoking will not be permitted. HOW SHOULD YOU DRESS? Except for the Saturday evening banquet where coat and tie would be suggested for men (but if you don't have them, come anyway), casual wear is appropriate at all times. Hampton's temperatures start to warm up in mid-spring, so a medium weight jacket would be best especially for the boat tour. April's average max/min temperatures are 68/48 and May's are 76/57. We're meeting at the beginning of May so, split the difference: 72/52. The relative humidity averages 63%. Bring your sunscreen and your umbrella; both April & May average 10 days per month with rain. NAME BADGES: PLEASE - YOU MUST WEAR OR DISPLAY YOUR NAME BADGE AT ALL TIMES WHEN: (1) IN THE HOSPITALITY ROOMS, (2) BOARDING THE BUSES, and (3) AT THE MEAL FUNCTIONS. Your name badges will also be your admission and tour bus ticket for most events. This precaution is necessary to limit the use of AWA facilities, meals, and tour functions to those who have paid for the reunion and its optional events, AND to be readily identifiable to your compatriots who haven't seen you in years. IF YOU DO NOT DISPLAY THE NAME BADGE, THE REUNION COMMITTEE WILL ASK YOU TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF, CHECK THE ATTENDANCE ROSTER, AND (IN SOME CASES) DELAY BUS DEPARTURES (THAT'S COSTLY). Please display the badge throughout the reunion area and when on all tours. DO NOT INVITE LOCAL FRIENDS TO PARTICIPATE UNLESS YOU HAVE PAID AND REGISTERED THEM BEFOREHAND AS YOUR GUESTS, NOT AT THE REUNION. No one will be registered at the reunion nor tours sold or exchanged by the reunion committee at the hotel. If you wish to buy, sell or exchange tour tickets, place a notice on the message board. See the other conditions concerning cancellations and liability as printed on the Reunion Registration form. COMMEMORATIVE ITEMS FOR SALE On the back of the Reunion Registration form you will find information about ordering commemorative hats and shirts. The screen print depicted will appear on the White 65/35 Poly/Cotton mesh-back cap (one size fits all) and on the upper left front of the White 50/50 cotton/polyester Polo/Golf Shirt. The shirt has a 3-button placket, full collar, with knitted/banded sleeves, it is NOT a T-shirt. With a large enough order, the price should be no more than: Cap - $6; Shirt - $11. If you would like to have your name embroidered on the shirt for an additional $1.50, choose EITHER your first name or nickname (ten letters maximum). Your choice will be embroidered on the upper left front of the shirt in black letters. These items are suitable for both men and women. You must order them when sending in the Reunion Registration form and pick them up at the reunion (no mail orders). If ordered, they may not be returned for reimbursement or exchanged for other sizes. HAMPTON VISITORS GUIDE If you would like a copy of the Hampton Visitors Guide to review prior to your arrival, send your request to the following address: Hampton Visitors Center, 710 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23669 or call the Visitors Center at 1-800-800-2202. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE REUNION please call or write to the Reunion Organizer: Donald Farrington 4149 Silver Hill Court Lithonia, Georgia 30058-6978 Tel: (770) 985-2240 (between 9 AM and 10 PM Eastern Time please) e-mail: Cdfcsf@aol.com WANTED --- HISTORICAL INFORMATION RELEVANT TO THE 1996 AWA REUNION Your AWA board of directors would appreciate any historical information relating to the time (50 years ago) when HQ AWS was at Langley Field. Historical information about other AAF/AF weather units located in the greater Hampton, Virginia area will also be welcomed. A special history display is being planned for placement in the hospitality area for the next AWA reunion, 1-5 May 1996 at the Hampton Holiday Inn. Please send any historical information and photos to the Air Weather Association Chairman, 6704 Wolke Court, Montgomery AL 36116-2134 prior to 1 April 1996. Photos and other historical data will be returned to senders as appropriate. This paragraph above was in the last AWA Newsletter (April 1995) and one letter on the subject has arrived thus far. Thanks to Bernard J. Gudenkauf for sending in the following LETTER TO THE EDITOR: In specific reply to the request for historical information re other weather units at Langley Field when AWS Hqs was there. The 72nd BU was at Langley then. It was commanded by Major Frederick Machinski, who was a rugged pussy cat, and a mainly unrecognized veteran of a succession of weather organizations spanning most of their most formative years. As a younger member then, he epitomized to me the word "Service" in Air Weather Service. During his early enlisted service, in 1924, he established and operated a weather outpost in the north country (Labrador ?), in support of the Round-the-World flight by Army aircraft. In his anecdotal discussions, he recalled being left in place, by logistic misadventure, for many months after the flight was completed, the task dissolved, and was all but forgotten, stranded among some rather primitive natives. The 72nd functioned as a base for mobile teams, test and technical support operations. Unfortunately I cannot find my treasured copy of the unit's General Order, which stated approximately, and in part "...to prepare for, and to proceed to any place in the world, at any time, to provide meteorological support to a designated military mission." Some of it's tasks included a radiosonde macro-net in Florida for Project Thunderstorm (Ed: see reunion news on this Project), flown by P-64s out of Pinecastle, early dropsonde tests from a B-29 at Eglin, and some (now) hilarious classified overseas forays, some of which ended in unexpected results, such as an abort caused by a French Jesuit missionary in Ethiopia. Thru it all, Major Machinski was a steadfast, firm but gentle and understanding mentor. Much success with your preparation and conduct of the 1996 reunion. If the G.O. could be retrieved, it might add a dollop of flavor to your meeting. Sincerely yours, B.J. Gudenkauf Fifty Years ago... 1946 - AAF Weather Service units received first B-29s for weather reconnaissance mission. 7 Jan 46 - HQ AAF Weather Service moved from Asheville to Langley Field. 13 Mar 46 - AAF Weather Service redesignated AWS and reassigned from HQ AAF to Air Transport Command. 14 Jun 46 - HQ AWS moved from Langley to Gravelly Point, Virginia. 30 Jun 46 - AWS military population dropped to post-WW II low of 4,209. (See Chief Hoy's article above.) AIR FORCE MUSEUM AT WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB TO FEATURE AIR FORCE WEATHER EXHIBIT The United States Air Force Museum (USAFM) staff has approved the creation of a permanent exhibit portraying the history of military weather operations. Although a firm date for completion of the project is yet to be determined, the initial task of gathering background information for a story line is underway. Following USAFM approval of the story line the exhibit will enter progressive stages of design, construction, and installation. The process will conclude with a formal dedication and grand opening for public viewing. The research material currently available to USAFM includes: Air Weather Service: Our Heritage 1937-1987, Thor's Legions, and America's Weather Warriors. According to Lil Wilbur, HQ AWS/RMH (Resource Manager/Historian), there is a "significant amount of material" at Scott AFB IL that awaits evaluation by USAFM researchers. Additionally, during the base closure process of Chanute AFB IL the USAFM accessioned a number of items related to weather training from the Chanute Technical Training Center. Hopefully, several of these items will find a permanent "home" in the completed exhibit. The weather operations story will include as many examples of "WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY and WHO" that effectively fit into the physical space allocated for this project. Therefore, a rare opportunity to enhance the planning and ultimate content of this exhibit presents itself. If anyone out there has an idea concerning subject matter for the weather operations exhibit--- NOW IS THE TIME to submit your ideas for evaluation. Further, if there are any personal collections of mementos, memorabilia, and especially annotated photographs, "tucked away in a shoe box"--- NOW IS THE TIME to find those shoe boxes. Dust them off and let USAFM know what is available. Anyone wishing to become involved with this project is invited to contact: MARVIN L. CROSS, JR. (MARV) USAF MUSEUM AUDIOVISUAL EXHIBITS 1100 SPAATZ STREET WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, OH 45433-7102 Tel: (513) 255-4932; DSN 785-4932 FAX: (513) 476-4081 18WS BUILT WEATHER STATION IN AN AF MUSEUM WW II PROJECT Art Gulliver writes that he talked with Marv Cross about the future AF Weather exhibit. Art also suggested to Marv how to maintain and improve the weather station in the control tower the 18th Weather Squadron built there last year. The control tower was donated by the 8th Air Force Memorial Museum Foundation using funds donated by thousands of 8th Air Force veterans who served in Europe during WW II. The tower is a replica of the British RAF towers built for about 150 American Airfields during the war. Plans for the tower were provided by the British Air Ministry and were copies of the plans prepared by the RAF Engineers in the early 1940's. The weather station in the tower has a number of WW II instruments, including weather teletypes, barometers, plotting tables and sequence board displays as well as a number of original WW II hand-drawn weather maps. The 18 WS held a mini-reunion in Dayton last April when the 8 AF Historical Society dedicated the tower. The tower exhibit is open daily from 0900 to 1700 for guided tours at no charge. The picture of the tower (in the paper newsletter) was also sent in by Art Gulliver. UNIT & ASSOCIATION REUNIONS TO NOTE 6th Weather Squadron (Mobile) Alumni Association held its last reunion from 21-25 June 1995 at the Meridian Plaza Hotel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was the 10th Anniversary of the association and a great time was had by all. The next reunion is being planned for 4-8 June 1997 in Oklahoma City, but the hotel has not been chosen yet. For further information, contact Don Garbutt at: 204 W Ercoupe Drive, Midwest City OK 73110; (405) 737-3285. Air Weather Reconnaissance Association will hold its next reunion 26-29 September 1996 at the Ramada Inn - Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Reunion Coordinators: Ralph and Libby Ruyle Membership Chairman: Glen E. Sharp, 306 Sunset Lane, Belton MO 64012; (816) 331-2039. David Magilavy, the AWRA President, reports that the 1995 reunion last October was the largest they had to date. The Saturday evening dinner-dance was attended by 223. (Membership in the AWRA is now over 500.) Vernon and Gloria Robertson did outstanding work serving as coordinators for the meeting. Tours to McClellan AFB Aeronautical Museum, Sonoma Valley Wine Country and Lake Tahoe/Casinos were a part of the agenda. Future AWRA reunions are being planned for Biloxi, Mississippi (near Keesler AFB) in the fall of 1997 under the management of Hank and Nancy Turk and for Kansas City, Kansas in 1998 under the guidance of Glen and Janet Sharp. The 15th & 20th Weather Squadrons Association reunion will be held with the AWA reunion, 1-5 May 1996 in Hampton, Virginia. For questions regarding the 15th and 20th Weather Squadrons Association and the Hampton, Virginia reunion contact: Luke Campeau, 4175 S. Granby Circle, Aurora CO 80014; (303) 680-3269. Luke reports that they had a great reunion last September at the Holiday Inn - Riverwalk North in San Antonio, TX. Doris Walker and her helpers did great work in organizing and managing the reunion. Skip Waldorf, Bill Becker, Dan Berga, Charles Gillingham and Sidney Marcus had attended the Victory in the Pacific (VP-50) Celebration in Australia. They gave a summary of the events and remarked about the enthusiastic appreciation shown by the Australians. The banquet speaker was Captain Ludford, the station Weather Officer at Lackland AFB. He gave an excellent update on how the AWS is now organized and explained the functions of the base weather station. He was the Outstanding Company Grade Officer in AF Weather for 1994 and received the 1st Air Weather Association's John & Barbara Collens Award. The new 15th & 20th Weather Squadron Association officers are: President, Luke Campeau; VP, Bill Becker; and Sec/Treas, Jack Reed. The 17th Weather Squadron Weather Merchants will have their next reunion with the AWA reunion, 1-5 May 1996 at the Holiday Inn in Hampton, Virginia. Jim Van Dyne writes that they are planning a nostalgia night, a hospitality get-together, for Wednesday evening, 1 May. Memorabilia from their South Pacific days will be displayed along with 19 of the 22 WW II Weather Merchant Review newsletters that were issued during the war. It should be a great time to get reacquainted with old friends. For Thursday evening, they plan to have a squadron dinner function beginning at 7:00 PM. Look for details in the 17 WS newsletters or contact Jim Van Dyne, his addresses are in the roster. Jim writes a very informative newsletter for the 17th alumni and credits member John Hope of The Weather Channel with finding a number of lost members. The 18th Weather Squadron will hold its next reunion with the AWA reunion at the Holiday Inn in Hampton, Virginia from 1-5 May 1996. A Thursday evening squadron dinner is being planned. Additional information can be obtained from Art Gulliver, 5119 South 81st Street, Omaha NE 68127. The 18 WS alumni had a mini-reunion in Dayton, Ohio 21-22 April 1995 when the 8th Air Force Historical Society dedicated a WW II English control tower replica at the Air Force Museum. They also had a reunion with the 8th Air Force Historical Society in Saint Louis in September 1995. The Space Coast - Central Florida region AWA will have their next function as a BBQ dinner at the At Ease Club of the Indian River Colony Club on 14 April 1996. Contact: Hyko Gayikian, 510 S. River Oaks Drive, Indialantic FL 32903; (407) 723-4777. The 3349th Technical Training Squadron, Dept. of Weather Training, (Chanute Instructors) reunion will be held 27-30 May 1996 at the El Dorado hotel in Reno, Nevada. For more info, write to: 3349th TTS Reunion, c/o Paul W. Schlotterbeck, 477-945 Ashley Way, Susanville CA 96130-6013; (916) 251-2462. Join the TAC RECCE ASSN for an Alaska Cruise this summer. John and Barbara Collens have organized a 7-day Alaska cruise aboard the luxurious Sky Princess departing Anchorage on 8 July 1996. This Voyage of the Glaciers cruise affords spectacular views of many tidewater glaciers, marine life, and inland passage visits to the ports of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. After 7 nights aboard ship you arrive at Vancouver, Canada for return home via air. Several AWA couples have already booked their cabin for this cruise. It is sponsored by the TAC RECCE Association which invites friends of John and Barbara Collens to come along. John negotiated with The Cruise People for very favorable prices: from $1306 to $1696 per person on three decks. Low cost airfare is extra. Importantly, there will be a drawing aboard ship for several persons to get their cruise money refunded. The price also includes prepaid port charges and gratuities (a $232 value), an exclusive cocktail hour every evening before dinner, and the guide services of The Cruise People. Contact Karen or Bonnie toll-free at: 800-642-2469, and identify yourselves as TAC RECCE (that's "tack wreckie"). They will send you brochures. BUT HURRY! The ship will be sold out before March. TAC RECCE's block of cabins (and these prices) will not be available later. John and Barbara have sailed on Sky Princess before and highly recommend this cruise. Join them for a great cruise! "Project Thunderstorm" reunion. The National Weather Association (NWA) is planning their next Annual Meeting for 1-6 December 1996 in the Cocoa Beach area of Florida. The theme will be "The Thunderstorm" to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the start of the Thunderstorm Project. A reunion of persons involved in the US Weather Bureau-Army/Air Force-Navy-NACA Thunderstorm Project is also being organized by Dan Smith and Prof. E Roscoe R. Braham, senior analyst on the project. The first phase (field measurements/observations) of the Thunderstorm Project began in the summer of 1946 in central Florida near Orlando because of the very adequate Army Air Force (Pinecastle Army Air Base) and Navy (Banana River Naval Base) facilities nearby and the highest frequency of thunderstorm occurrences in North America. In 1986, a historical marker was erected in St. Cloud near the headquarters of the project. The Thunderstorm Project was a significant milestone in meteorology; results became a cornerstone of our scientific understanding of thunderstorms. The reunion will be an opportunity for personnel involved with the project to renew friendships, share memories and to comment on present and future study plans. The NWA Annual Meeting presentations are expected to provide an overview of thunderstorm meteorology examining: roots in the Thunderstorm Project (and before), today's technology and knowledge, and unanswered questions for further study. For more information about the meeting plans, please call the NWA office at (334) 213-0388 or e-mail to NatWeaAsoc@aol.com. For information about the reunion plans, persons who were involved with the Thunderstorm Project are asked to contact either of the following: Dan Smith Roscoe R. Braham, Jr. National Weather Service MEAS, NC State Univ. 819 Taylor St. Rm 10A26 Box 8208 Fort Worth TX 76102 Raleigh NC 27695-8208 (817) 334-2671 (919) 380-1352 (817) 334-3475 (fax) (919) 515-7802 (fax) dans@smtpgate.ssmc.noaa.gov braham@meavax.nrcc.ncsu.edu THE END.