199^th Weather Flight is one of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s charter units. Founded in September 1946, its original mission was to provide weather forecasting and observing for the pilots of the Hawaii Air National Guard at Hickam AFB.

The 199^th Weather Flight spent four days of annual training at Kilauea Military Camp on the Big Island and apparently took the “weather with them”. It rained the entire time they were there. One day, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory’s rain gauge recorded 19 inches of rainfall. At that time, Hilo had experienced approximately 22 consecutive days of rain. Pretty good timing for the Weather Flight, a “non-prophet” organization.

The 199^th Weather Flight WF was designated a Representative Observation Site, using a mobile meteorological van. The ROS observer relayed surface observations to the HANG Weather Station by means of a field telephone providing continuous weather watch during all flying activities. Additionally, a pilot balloon program had been established to support flying operations at any bare base. The unit’s mobile meteorological van was eventually scrapped because of poor maintainability and the improbability of its use in an actual emergency.

The 199 WF worked at the base weather station during UTAs and during AT. The primary means of obtaining weather information was through teletype and facsimile machines before the use of weather satellites, facsimile charts were often inaccurate for forecasting weather in Hawaii, since perturbations in the atmosphere were not always picked up due to a lack of data. Unlike the continental United States where there is a rough distance of approximately 300 miles from each weather station, the distance from the Hawaiian Islands to the next weather station could be thousands of miles away. The addition of a Harris Laser Satellite Facsimile Machine greatly enhanced the flight’s ability to produce more accurate forecasts. These weather satellites are able to provide the weather forecaster with a picture of the clouds where data is not available.

In 1987 the 199 WF changed its primary mission from base weather support to supporting an infantry brigade in the held. At this time, the primary means of obtaining weather information was through the use of the Goldwing high frequency communication system, the Wrasse portable satellite picture/weather bulletin retrieval system, and an observing kit. The Goldwing system is designed to provide a secure means of communication between weather units in the field.

The 199 WF began the 90s by participating in Team Spirit with the 29^th Infantry Brigade (Separate) in March 1990. Forced to endure nearly three weeks of Korean winter in floorless tents, questionable restroom facilities, and marginal food, this weary contingent was happy to return to the warm and friendly Hawaiian islands. This exercise has taught the 199 WF that personnel on mobility status must be in good health and be mentally tough. Other major exercises that the 199 WF has participated in include Keen Edge, Cascade Peak, and Yama Sakura. The 199 WF has supported I Corps, IX Corps, 5th Air-Force, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, and US Army Japan. In the summer of 1994, the 199 WF was able to simultaneously support the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) and monitor six tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific during it’s AT.

Flight deployed one enlisted forecaster to Thailand to serve as the joint Metoc (meteorological and oceanographic) officer for Exercise COPE TIGER with the 199^th Fighter Squadron.

The flight alleviated critical manpower shortages at the Wheeler Army Airfield Weather Station during the 25^th Infantry Division (Light) Iraqi deployment. The unit performed over 80 percent of the daily mission execution forecasting and basic weather-watch duties to keep the station operational.

Last updated May 2021

Leadership

• Cpt Allen D. Pearson
• Cpt James A. Forsyth, 1 Jun 1963
• LTC Thomas Mau