The Unique History & Mission of the Tinker Air Force Base Weather Flight

Tinker Air Force Base is the largest single-site employer in the state of OK. Nearly 30,000 military and civilian personnel and billions of dollars of resources need to be protected from Oklahoma’s weather year-round. This responsibility falls upon the 72nd Operations Support Weather Flight. Here is a little about their rich history and what makes their mission so different from all others in the weather business.

Unfortunately, Oklahoma has not seen its last tornado warning. But amazingly, the first-ever tornado forecast in the U.S. was issued at Tinker AFB.

“Being a weather forecaster here at Tinker, we have some big shoes to fill”, says Meteorological Technician Robert Kroupa. “The 1st tornado forecast ever was actually issued here on March 25, 1948.”

Air Force Captain Robert C. Miller and Major Ernest J. Fawbush noticed favorable conditions on this date that were similar to a tornadic event less than a week earlier. After consulting with the base’s commanding general, Miller and Fawbush issued the nation's first official tornado forecast. Their actions became even more impactful as a tornado tore through the base that evening.

In 1948, the Weather Bureau did not issue Tornado Warnings to the public, so this was considered the first of its kind. This historic forecast not only saved lives and property, it inspired the watch and warning systems now used by the National Weather Service.

However, forecasters at Tinker are required to issue their own warnings and watches when severe weather threatens the base. “We are alerting the base on what’s to come, and we have everyone taking precautions, securing our aircraft” says Airman First Class Krya Woods, Weather Technician.

Aircraft like the AWACS are secured by having the planes hangered, or by having them take-off before dangerous weather strikes. “We have to protect our aircraft and most of our million, billion dollar things on this base”, A1C Woods emphasizes.

From 1948 through today, timely and accurate forecasts are critical to protecting property and the lives of thousands in the Tinker community. “Whether that’s like people taking cover and finding shelter around the base”, says Woods.

Tinker Air Force Base is incredibly well prepared for any Oklahoma weather thanks to the leadership and highly trained forecasters in that weather flight.