Forecasters receive training on weather instruments Published April 20, 2016 By 1st Lt. Rob Curry 14th Student Squadron COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 14th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight trained on forecasting instruments April 5 including the Tactical Meteorological Observing System at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. The instrument helps provide weather information to forecasters so they can observe weather trends, take data and provide information pilots need to carry out missions in a deployed environment. The weather flight provides critical, timely and accurate weather intelligence as well as mission-execution, seasonal climatology and local weather familiarization briefings in support of Columbus Air Force Base. Using satellite and radar imagery, computer-generated graphics and weather-communication equipment and instruments, these weather forecasters can analyze atmospheric-space data and information. The Weather Flight works cooperatively with the regional forecasting hub at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. They interact with at least one regional forecaster to form a better forecast to be as accurate as possible, issuing warnings and advisories to alert the community of critical weather. "If at any time we receive any severe criteria weather, we can transition to 24-hour support," said Staff Sgt. Ian Lorenz, 14th Operations Support Squadron Weather Forecaster. "Severe thunderstorms can mean 50 knot winds, large hail greater than one-half inch or tornadoes."