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Marines in the meteorology and oceanography (METOC) military occupational specialty are crucial to the mission success of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. Without them, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing squadrons would not have the certainty of suitable weather conditions to support aircraft operations.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jake McClung

It’s not always sunny in Miramar

2 Mar 2017 | Lance Cpl. Jake McClung 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Marines in the meteorology and oceanography (METOC) military occupational specialty are crucial to the mission success of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. Without them, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing squadrons would not have the certainty of suitable weather conditions to support aircraft operations.

“We cover everything from the logistics of what could impact a convoy, close air support or deep air support, winds blowing over a communications antenna, or even picking up or dropping off [infantry] Marines from an [area of operation],” said Gunnery Sgt. Brock Hemminger, training chief for Regional METOC Center West.

Marines with METOC typically go through a year of training at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, followed by a year of on-the-job training before they can effectively perform there MOS, explained Hemminger.

“It’s a long process because it’s a college level job,” said Staff Sgt. Nathan Will, watch supervisor for METOC. “If you want to be a meteorologist outside of the Marine Corps, you have to go to school for four years and get your bachelor’s degree in meteorology or environmental sciences.”

In response to extensive training periods, METOC Marines are given large amounts of responsibility. They are in charge of making decisions about weather conditions and distributing that information to 3rd MAW squadrons. Without weather data, daily flight operations would suffer and normal air traffic would stop.

The METOC Marines at MCAS Miramar work for 24 hours and then take a two day recovery period. During their shift, Marines release a weather forecast every six hours, submit hourly observations of what is currently taking place and send out radio messages informing pilots of the weather conditions before take-off.

“In order to push out the weather forecast to the squadrons, we use a program called Flight Weather Briefer that they request their weather through,” said Will. “If it’s inclement weather at MCAS Miramar, we have an automated phone system that we send watches, warnings and advisories for the safety of Marines.”

While METOC Marines aren’t always the bearers of good news, knowing they provided the squadrons the information they needed and kept people safe feels great, added Will.

“Getting the forecast right is the most rewarding part of our MOS, and we are currently at a 97 percent success rate,” said Hemminger. “It feels pretty good to get the kudos for telling a commanding officer that an operation needs to be shifted to the left or the right.”

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