Vance forecaster named top weather civilian in command

  • Published
  • By Frank McIntyre
  • Public Information
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Weather historians say after the fall of the Roman Empire feudal astrologers became responsible for forecasting the weather for military campaigns. The reward for providing correct forecasts and a successful campaign was being allowed to live to forecast again.
Times have changed and accuracy of forecasts is no longer a matter of life or death for military forecasters. But superior forecasting is still rewarded.
For Paul Wilkerson, 71st Operations Support Squadron weather operation flight meteorological technician, the reward for a highly successful 2005 was being named recipient of the Air Education and Training Command's Jenner Award.
The award, named in honor of William Jenner, recognizes individual leadership and excellence by a civilian performing duty in an Air Force weather unit that conducts Aerospace Weather. Known as "Mr. Weather Training," Mr. Jenner worked in, or directed, the Weather Training Division, Headquarters Air Weather Service, for 42 years.
"I was a little bit shocked when notified that I had won," Mr. Wilkerson said. "I was honored just to have been nominated for the award. It was the great teamwork we have here at the Vance weather shop that made possible the accomplishments attributed to me."
Some of those accomplishments included a 99.8- percent error-free rate on forecasts, a radar program imagery reference file that was lauded during an AETC staff assistance visit and identified as an Operational Readiness Inspection strength and other contributions that helped the weather flight achieve an excellent rating during last year's ORI.
"Mr. Wilkerson's character, professionalism and work ethic are worthy of modeling across the Air Force," said Capt. Paul Koecher, 71st OSS weather operations flight commander. "His endless drive to make the final product better than ever before has kept our shop on a progressive path. He's responsible for training every weather forecaster who arrives at Vance Air Force Base, including myself, and he's done so with tremendous success."
Mr. Wilkerson came to Vance from a similar position at Little Rock AFB, Ark., in September 2001. He didn't cut his ties to his native Little Rock however, as he remains a member of the 154th Weather Flight with the Air National Guard there.
It was with the ANG he received his weather training, graduating from the observer school in 1995 and the forecasting school in 1998, both at Keesler AFB, Miss.
Recently promoted to master sergeant in the ANG, Mr. Wilkerson plans to finish his undergraduate degree later this year, earning a bachelor's degree in atmospheric science from Mississippi State University.
Guard duties also took then Tech Sgt. Wilkerson on a four-month deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq, during the summer of 2004.
When the Enid resident is not busy with work and school, he enjoys spending time with his wife Brande and 2-year-old daughter Faith.
It probably comes as no surprise that he also is an active storm chaser and spends time on the weather chat site he co-founded in 2002. WxChat.com has grown to offer more than a thousand members virtual chase simulations and on-line university, as well as other weather-related discussions.
"If you're looking for the epitome of Integrity, Service and Excellence, come have a talk with Paul ... you won't be disappointed," Captain Koecher said.