The Weather Central Element gathered its weather data from many
sources.
In addition to the weather reporting stations operated by
the Task Group 7.4 Weather Reporting Element, and the WB-50 equipped
Weather Reconnaissance Element, the Weather Central gathered data from
weather units afloat on Task Group 7.3 ships, weather observations from
Task Group 7.3 Security Patrol aircraft, U. S. Weather Bureau observing
stations at MAJURO, PONAPE, WAKE, and TRUK, Naval Station at Kwajalein,
and routine intercept of the Pacific Ocean area weather broadcast network,
The officers assigned to the Weather Central reported to the Joint
Task Force SEVEN Meteorological Center, Pearl Harbor, T. H. on 20 January
1958 for six (6) weeks training in tropical weather analysis,
The
airmen assigned reported on 24 February for two (2) weeks of training.
The Element then moved to the forward area arriving between 6-13 March,
The Weather Central became operational 15 March 1958.
During the entire operation, briefings were held for the Commander,
Joint Task Force SEVEN and his staff prior to each test’ event.
Standard
times for forecasts were H-Hour minus 18 hours, minus 12 hours, and minus
six (6) hours,
At times, when conditions were marginal on tery critical
special tbriefirgs and forecasts were made as required.
The following
statistics indicate the high degree of validity maintained in making
these forecastse
Month
Forecasts
Hits
Busts
2
8
April”
May
39
73
37
65
July
LO
39
- June
65
62
-
3
2
The mission of the Weather Reporting and Forecasting Element was
to provide surface and balloon sounding meteorological observations as
required by the Weather Central on Parry Island.
70
ails!
To accomplish this,
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