Weather squadron trains to perform duties while deployed Published June 10, 2009 By Steve Berry 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- On a misty morning June 3, Airmen from the 15th Operational Weather Squadron moved through tall wet grass toward a simulated dangerous crossing guarded by hidden enemies. For the morning's training exercise, the hidden enemies were actually fellow members of the 15th OWS, and the dangerous crossing was an old road near Scott Lake here. The Airmen were conducting their last exercise in a session lasting from May 30 through June 3 to prepare them to complete their duties in combat zones. "Most of our people here at the 15th OWS are first term Airmen, so they really don't have a chance to always deploy as quickly as we would like them to," Master Sgt. Thomas Flynn said. "This gives them a feel as to what would happen out in the field ... and how to take (weather) observations and set up the equipment and tear it down." Sergeant Flynn is a flight chief with the 15th OWS. He said Air Force Special Operations members from Hurlburt Field, Fla., traveled to Scott to provide the Airmen additional instruction. "They are teaching them tactics for in the field," Sergeant Flynn said. "We've signed out M-16s from Security Forces and we are teaching them leadership and teamwork." The 15th OWS produces forecasts for 36 locations in an eight state region. The squadron trains 20 percent of the new Air Force enlisted forecasters and weather officers.