Pictorial History of Fort Wolters, Volume 13: Police, Fire, Training Aids, Band, Weather Squadron, Recreation, Prisoner of War Camp, Nike, Camp Wolters Enterprise, Parks Page: 75 of 212
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DETACHMENT 20, 16th WEATHER SQUADRON
Detachment 20, 16th Weather Squadron, was activated at Fort Wolters on 1 July 1966,
based on a statement of requirements from the U.S. Army to Air Weather Service. The
organization was the only U. S. Air Force unit on the post. The unit began weather operations on
22 August 1966. Since operation began, new facilities had to be built to house the various
functions of the detachment.
Detachment 20 was one of the newest detachments of the 16th Weather Squadron with
headquarters at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
The mission of the detachment was to provide accurate forecasts and observations of the
weather to support the flying operations of the U. S. Army Primary Helicopter School. Timely
and reliable weather information is directly related to safe flying training operations.
The weather station was located in building 552 and operated 24 hours a day, Monday
through Friday with constant weather analysis performed by the forecasters. Information was
obtained throughout the United States by use of teletype and facsimile machines located in the
weather station. Constant weather observations were taken by well qualified weather observers
located near the control tower on the main heliport. The observations were immediately
transmitted to the weather station for analysis by the forecaster.
Research was continually being done to find better means to forecast the weather
accurately for the local area and to improve the overall products of the weather service.
In April 1969, the detachment expanded and modernized its operation and expanded its
operating hours to a 24 hour operation. The forecasting section continued to televise seven
weather briefings each scheduled flying day. New carousel-type forecast display were installed in
the weather station. This system made it possible to telecast the latest weather forecast
continuously during flight operations. An overhead camera was installed in the weather station to
enable forecasters to give individual flight briefings to pilots at Downing Heliport.
This article was copied from the 1967 Fort Wolters Unofficial Directory for historical interest
only by:
Willie H. Casper, Jr.
Colonel U. S. Army (Ret.)
(c l ,',. J> f....
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Casper, Willie H., Jr. Pictorial History of Fort Wolters, Volume 13: Police, Fire, Training Aids, Band, Weather Squadron, Recreation, Prisoner of War Camp, Nike, Camp Wolters Enterprise, Parks, book, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth25111/m1/75/?rotate=90: accessed May 13, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boyce Ditto Public Library.