Advanced weather technology aids flying mission, protects resources

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ryan Whitney
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  After more than a year in the making, Aviano Air Base now has an improved weather monitoring capability to support the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Italian Alps.

The portable Doppler weather radar system installed at the base, also known as 'Pagliano e Gori Aeroporto,' is part of an Air Force-wide push to phase out old tactical weather radars. Government testing of the radar was conducted and approved in 2010 and, the 31st Fighter Wing is the latest wing to have it installed. Airmen from the 31st Communications Squadron and a team from the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron based out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, worked hand-in-hand to get the system installed and operational.

"The new system provides us a clearer sight-picture that enables our team to more accurately monitor and track certain weather events like tornadoes and hail better than what the tactical weather radar provided us," said 1st Lt. Lauren Hogg, 31st Operations Support Squadron weather officer. "The new ability to actually track storm movement as well as wind speeds will help us get the word out to the base faster when there is a potential for inclement weather, which will help minimize damage to aircraft and other expensive assets."

In addition to improved weather detection, the weather radar also features a direct networking capability with higher headquarters, allowing personnel in Germany to monitor the radar feed at all times.

According to Hogg, one of the biggest challenges in switching systems was simply turning the new radar on.

"Even though Doppler radars are very common in the states, because we are guests in Italy, we had to work with the Italian government to ensure we were in compliance with their set standards," said Hogg. "As soon as we got the word, we started coordinating with the communications squadrons to get the PDR up and running."

The weeklong project involved the disassembly of the TWR, rewiring of the weather tower, fabrication of a mounting bracket, welding, and installing and linking the system with Ramstein.

"Although the TWR was a reliable piece of equipment that didn't require a lot of maintenance, the PDR should require less maintenance since the work in-system can be done remotely from Germany," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Snider, 31st CS radar systems technician, during the installation. "It is a lot of work right now, but once we get the DPR up and running, a lot of people will be grateful for the new capability."