My last TAF
I thought I would repost this here in case there are any old weather folks out there passing by.
Today I issued my last METAR and TAF (Nov 17 2019)
Forty-Three years ago I was finishing up Observing class at “Chanute U” as it has been called. High times were had and I do mean “high” times, and life was good, although I did get set back by Mr. Frei for being passed out in class. I was one of the 5 that streaked the women’s floor shortly after we moved to the big red dorms from the small green dorms.
I dropped into the world of Global Weather… AFGWC… as my first assignment early 1977 as part of C-Team! The infamous C-Team(Yes I wore the blue smock).. had some unique experiences hitch hiking to KC and back for concerts and in due course following the moments of life found myself spending two days in the Plattsmouth County jail. Soon after a wise TSGT told me I should leave, go to Korea, and by the way take some extra levis! (the black market is a whole different level of story 😊) Oh and I was also officially kicked off the base by Chief Freeman (anyone recall him) and Lt Col White. And thus began my career.
3 Tours at DET18, 30WS and Korea would become more than family it was a second home. I would meet some of the old guard Stovepipe Observers (from when there were two separate career paths) and they would teach me the best parts of observing. The things that are missing today. Back when you could actually call that 1/8 of CI streak across the sky over the 4/8 of SC you had… those were the days.
I like to think that I have been a part of something special, I know I have met some awesome folks, and some less than awesome folks. But that goes with the territory.
I was part of the pencil to paper analyzing crowd, with magic marker finger tips and grease pencils on acetate. I have slung the sling and watched as the thermometer flew off because it was not hooked properly. I was part of Mother MAC, TAC, ACC, and AMC and remember those SAC -Peace if Our Profession — -War is just a hobby — — days while at Offutt.
I have felt the bite of M40C and the sting of +52C, I’ve climbed land glaciers in Greenland and Sand Dunes in the KSA. I watched the Han river flood, the Pitufik River freeze in mid wave and the Yellow Wind blow. Made ticker tape forecasts 10 feet long, torn and filed, posted still wet fax paper on the Weather Wall. I have strung the camo, put up the tents, tuned in the 9315 and pulled “stand to”. I have cleaned my potbelly at 2am with snow and a broom, and put out the fire that another thought was a joke. (“Hey guys”) for those that know.
I have made my choice through the “looking glass” and answered the siren call from “The Hill” “Hey GI, long time no see” … “Short time can do”. I have drank enough Soju to fill a 3 water buffalo (not the animal) and eaten the strange and wonderful from across the world.
What I am saying is that I have Been …a few places… Done… a few things as we all have been, but I only have one regret. That I can’t start all over again. What started from 2 days in jail and a tour in Korea has ended in Iraq. I always feel that I am, to quote a line from a favorite movie, “like the wind that blows over the land then passes on…… Vaya con dios”
Hope you all enjoy your life and get the most that you can from every day. But most importantly… HAVE FUN!
LAST NO AMDS…. DPS out
AFGWC -C TEAM
RKSY — OBS
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