AERIAL WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE IN THE PACIFIC 



B}^ Major William S. Barney, U.S. Air Force 



Aerial weather reconnaissance is a relatively new method of gathering 

 meteorological data. The need for aerial reconnaissance became apparent 

 during World War II when many areas were cut oif from the normal 

 exchange of weather information. In the latter years of the war great 

 loss of lives and military property occurred due to the lack of proper 

 information concerning existing weather conditions. In addition to the 

 loss of information from areas occupied by enemy forces, the Pacific 

 theatre of operations recognized the need for aerial reconnaissance due 

 to the sparse network of land and surface vessel reporting stations. 



To meet the military requirements for additional weather data the 

 AUied Powers resorted to aerial reconnaissance. This was necessary to 

 ensure successful air operations, landing operations, and security of 

 naval warships and Army and Navy transports. As the war progressed, 

 aerial reconnaissance gradually improved, and, through the lessons 

 learned in the first few years, aerial reconnaissance has now been 

 developed into a dependable and scientific method of obtaining weather 

 data. 



In an attempt to fill in the gap between the land stations, weather 

 ship reports and in-flight aerial weather reports from both commercial 

 and military aircraft, the Air Weather Service of the United States Air 

 Force has established a system of aerial reconnaissance flights emanating 

 from Guam, Marianas Islands, and which covers the south-western and 

 western and north Pacific areas. I wiU go into detail on these special 

 flights a little later on in my discussion. One of the main reasons for 

 aerial reconnaissance in the Pacific is to locate and investigate typhoons. 

 The relativel}" few land weather stations in comparison with the immense 

 water areas surrounding them permits the development of strong 

 typhoons before a land station is aware of their formation, and the 

 further lack of, an extensive network of reports makes their location and 

 their movement uncertain. Aerial weather reconnaissance is the most 

 expensive method of gathering weather information ; however, it is 

 felt that aerial weather reports will enable forecasters to make more 

 accurate predictions on the formation, intensification, and movement of 

 tropical disturbances and typhoons and will increase the safety factor 

 for ships at sea, land installations, and commercial carriers. The cost 

 of aerial reconnaissance pays for itself in the saving of lives and property, 

 both stationary and mobile. 



To obtain the best possible aerial weather observations a great deal 

 of time, thought, and money has been put into the problem. First of 

 all, aircraft to be used had to be selected for their range, altitude, crew 

 comfort, speed, and economy. During the war economy was not a major 

 factor ; therefore aircraft utilized were generally the bombardment and 

 fighter type. Due to decrease in aircraft manufacture at the close of 

 World War II aircraft which were to be utilized in aerial reconnaissance 

 were drawn from depots where large stocks of combat aircraft were 

 stored. Therefore to-day we are using B29 superfortresses for weather 

 reconnaissance missions because they have the greatest range of aircraft 

 available for the purpose ; also they are capable of flying the desired 

 altitudes without discomfort or increased fatigue to reconnaissance 

 crews. The B29's now utilized have been modified into a flying weather 

 observation station. This modification consists of installation of a 



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