AFSC 1W0X1 Weather Citations

Senior Airman Amy E. Ariolla distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Weather Journeyman, Detachment 2, 1st Weather Squadron, Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii. During this period, the superlative efforts of Airman Ariolla were instrumental in the creation of 647 forecasts which optimized 6,800 close air support flight hours in support of 139 aircraft. Specifically, she identified favorable mission windows which enhanced range forecast consistency across multiple platforms. Additionally, she provided weather support for the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade's airfield seizure and air assault exercise which aided in the certification of 200 Soldiers on airfield seizure tactics. Further, her accomplishments were instrumental in the 1st Weather Squadron winning the Pacific Air Force's Weather Squadron of the Year award. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Ariolla reflect credit upon herself, the 1st Weather Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Staff Sergeant Kendall R. Davis distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Weather Journeyman, Detachment Five, 18th Weather Squadron, 18th Air Operations Support Group, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing, Fort Benning, Georgia. During this period, Sergeant Davis demonstrated technical knowledge and expertise while supporting the United States Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence and Task Force 1-28. He was responsible for the daily production of 3,300 accurate weather forecast products, resulting in 3,438 sorties and 41,000 successful parachute jumps by the U.S. Army's Airborne School. Additionally, Sergeant Davis supported three Multilateral Airborne exercises where he provided weather support to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, resulting in the certification of 2,200 Rangers on airfield seizure. Furthermore, Sergeant Davis deployed to Soto Cano Airbase, Honduras in support of Joint Task Force Bravo and produced over 1,200 weather products for the drug interdiction mission, resulting in drug seizures worth more than five millon dollars. The distintive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Davis reflect great credit upon himself, the 18th Weather Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Staff Sergeant Martin A. Walker distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Weather Forecaster, 21st Operational Weather Squadron, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, Kapaun Air Station, Germany, from XXXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, Staff Sergeant Walker's technical expertise was indispensable to the success of a 14-day coalition force exercise. He identified a mission-limiting wind event enhancing the training and ensuring the safety of 620 American and Spanish paratroopers. Moreover, his reliable weather forecast ability was demonstrated by providing the exact timing, within 60 minutes, of a significant wind event to 16 F-16 crews during Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR, facilitating zero delays in their deployment. Further, he crafted four precise forecasts for Exercise Forging Saber and identified optimal weather windows, enabling the training of 430 American and Singapore armed forces and 25 coalition aircraft. Finally, he produced long range forecasts for a NATO missile radar site, allowing the weather sensitive installation of a 200 million dollar High Altitude Air Defense radar, and ultimately strengthening the ballistic missile shield over Europe. The distintive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Walker reflect great credit upon himself, the 21st Operational Weather Squadron, and the United States Air Force.

Technical Sergeant Robert L. Denson distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Detachment 2, 10th Combat Weather Squadron, 720th Special Tactics Group, 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida from XXXXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXXX. During this period, Sergeant Denson was assigned as NCOIC of the only remaining Special Operations Weather Team detachment, in direct support of the Army's elite special operations aviation unit. As NCOIC, Sergeant Denson enforced rigid standards for the 15-man detachment ensuring 100 percent mission readiness and unprecedented support capability for rotary operations. In addition, he tackled the daunting task of equipment management, conducting the most thorough equipment inventory in the detachment's 15 year history. As a result of his proactive efforts, 80,000 dollars in critical equipment was placed back in service and transferred to the 10th Combat Weather Squadron to meet critical equipment shortfalls. Finally, Sergeant Denson managed over 700 man days of alert posture twenty four hours a day, ensuring the unit was prepared to respond with supported units at a moment's notice. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Technical Sergeant Denson reflect great credit upon himself, the 10th Combat Weather Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Master Sergeant William B. Berglund distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while assigned as Joint METOC Officer, Special Operations Command Africa, USAFRICOM, Kelley Barracks, Germany, from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, Sergeant Berglund served as the Joint METOC Officer, meticulously directing and coordinating all meteorological support for SOCAFRICA operations throughout the African continent. He prepared and presented over 100 Daily Update Briefings covering weather impacts to operations across the African continent, enabling the SOCAFRICA commander, directors, and leaders to plan, tailor, and execute missions with confidence that the unpredictable environment would not adversely impact operations. Additionally, he prepared and presented over 50 detailed forecast briefs for the Cote d'Ivoire emergency, focusing on reconnaissance missions, enabling SOCAFRICA leaders to effectively mission plan for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage during periods of favorable weather. This resulted in improved ISR collections and a significant cost savings as missions were rescheduled due to forecasted below-minimum conditions. The distintive accomplishments of Master Sergeant Berglund reflect great credit upon himself, Special Operations Command Africa, and the United States Air Force.