Weather experts keep the Armed Forces one step ahead

Of all the adversaries the British military has pitted its wits against over the centuries, one resilient force has remained unconquered.

From being an ally at the Battle of Waterloo to an enemy in the muddy trenches of the First World War, Mother Nature's changeable mood has played a key role in the successes and failures of the Armed Forces.

But while taming the worst of the weather on the battlefield remains firmly in the realms of science fiction, a tri-Service unit is making sure commanders are at least aware of what the climate has in store for them.

Ironically based underground in a bunker at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, the Joint Operational Meteorology and Oceanography Centre (JOMOC) provides information about current and future environmental conditions.

And with operations occupying the thoughts of most of the military, the centre's staff are experiencing an increasing call from the front line for their unique skills:

"Weather can have a massive impact on operations," explained JOMOC air land operations officer Squadron Leader Ian Matthews of the RAF.

"Large-scale missions can be delayed or brought forward depending on what the weather window is like and what impact it will have on things like aviation support. That knowledge gives commanders a big military advantage."

Working in split shifts to provide weather information 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year, JOMOC's staff come from all three Services and include reservist personnel recruited directly from the Met Office.

The climate experts use a raft of detailed data beamed in from the upper reaches of the atmosphere to gauge everything from incoming fronts to temperatures.

On Op HERRICK, the unit's information about night-time illumination, cloud cover and thermal crossover - which affects infrared imaging - is fed directly to commanders ahead of missions.

In-depth analysis of satellite imagery can be used to provide the men and women on the ground with details about safe and unsafe areas, while the Royal Artillery rely on data about wind direction and speed to ensure that the rounds they fire hit their intended targets.

With Afghanistan's vastly different summer and winter climates posing distinct challenges, JOMOC is also able to predict dust and sandstorms or levels of snow cover.

Land forecaster Squadron Leader Bruce Sherratt, a professional meteorologist serving with the RAF Reserves, has deployed to theatre for three five-month periods, each time working closely with the International Security Assistance Force's aviation assets.

The officer said that although helicopter and fast jet pilots have always relied on accurate weather information, those in charge of the mission's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming more aware of how the atmosphere affects them:

"Everywhere I have been, meteorology has been one of the biggest factors and I think it should be treated as an intelligence asset," he added.

"When you are planning a battle and have a million things to think about, one person who knows about meteorology can provide some really important information.

"I think we can add enormously to the mission. Yes, we can tell you about the weather, but our information can also give you an idea about what the enemy might be planning to do and that can be used to your advantage.

"For UAVs, not having cover can put missions in jeopardy because the troops on the ground are operating in a dangerous environment."

As important as JOMOC's operational abilities are, the centre's reach extends into almost every other area of the Forces.

Units deploying on overseas exercises turn to the meteorological maestros to provide briefings about the climate in their destination country, while troops rehearsing in the UK are able to call on the same level of detail.

Adventurous training and expeditions play a major part in life in the Services and JOMOC has helped trips as varied as attempts to summit Mount Everest and transatlantic rows to pass off smoothly.

With his team's skills able to provide information about conditions from the top of the atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean, officer commanding Lieutenant Commander Gareth Boon of the Royal Navy has urged more Army personnel to make use of the service:

"To anyone planning a major expedition or military training, I would say please contact us," he said.

"Whether it's through a climate brief for an exercise in Kenya or supporting people in the Antarctic by providing regular information about ice floes, we can help."

With personnel on Op HERRICK engaged in a tough battle against a devious enemy, any advantage they can gain helps in the ultimate fight to save lives and improve security.

Hi-tech military technology continues to advance, but the Armed Forces' increasing acquaintance with something that has been present on every battlefield since the beginning of time is proving just as important to present day success:

"Even though we are moving into the robot age, we are still affected by the physical environment and you can't insulate people from that," concluded Sqn Ldr Matthews.

"It will probably always continue to affect operations and especially so in a climate like Afghanistan's. On some days it can make no difference and no-one is interested, but there are times when everyone wants to know what impact the weather will have and that is what we are here for."

This article is taken from the September 2010 edition of SOLDIER - Magazine of the British Army.