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Weather Airman of the year: Scott forecaster best in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Monte Miller
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  In what other career can you be wrong half the time and still keep your job?

That is a common joke when referring to weather forecasters both civilian and military, but when you're on the top of your game, people notice that too.

Senior Airman Leon Keochanthanivong, 15th Operational Weather Squadron weather forecaster, was recently named the 2007 Air Force Weather Airman of the year.

"I'm honored to receive it," Airman Keochanthanivong said. "There were lots of other people that were well deserving. It is more than a one-man job. I definitely couldn't do it without the other people in my office. I'm blessed to be the one to receive it."

Airman Keochanthanivong prepares forecasts for a large area and said the best part of his job is making accurate predictions.

"There's a lot of satisfaction in nailing a forecast 24 hours out," he said. "It sounds bad, but if you are forecasting large hail and it happens, it is a great feeling knowing that you were able to give the wing commanders the heads up and they had time to shelter the aircraft."

He added his job is stressful at times when they don't want to issue alerts because they may be false alarms, or when severe weather is forecasted and it doesn't come.

Although he is being recognized at the upper most level, his hard work and dedication is appreciated everyday by his co-workers and supervisors.

"He is an outstanding guy in every way," said Tech Sgt. Kelvin Vanwright, a senior duty NCO in the 15th OWS. "He is an excellent leader for the other Airmen and is a dream to supervise."

Sergeant Vanwright added Airman Keochanthanivong is very proactive, takes the lead, is self motivated and jumps right into projects before even being told something needs done.

"We're happy for anyone from our squadron that wins an award," Sergeant Vanwright said. "This makes it even sweeter, because he is such a deserving guy with so many good qualities."

On a typical day, Airman Keochanthanivong, writes 24-hour weather forecasts for five active duty locations including the northern and central plains.

"Normally it's for pilots, he explained. "But, we also cover five nautical miles around a base."

One particularly exciting day in his career was at Elsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

"It was pretty crazy," Airman Keochanthanivong said. "The Black Hills are 20 to 30 miles west of the base and normally thunderstorms develop out there and then dissipate. This day, they didn't and we had tornadoes hit the base."

Growing up in Oklahoma, Airman Keochanthanivong said severe weather was a common occurance and sparked his interest in meteorology.

"I've always been interested in weather," he explained. "I've always been around thunderstorms and tornadoes. When I got older, I wanted to know how it all worked."

After joining the Air Force in 2004, Airman Keochanthanivong went into the weather field and has never looked back. He plans to serve at least 20 years and hopes to spend as much time as he can forecasting weather and keeping his fellow Airmen and the tools of the trade safe from mother nature.

When asked if there was any other job he would like, Airman Keochanthanivong referred to his roots.

"Both of my parents are from Laos," he said. "I would like to be a linguist and learn our native language better."

Airman Keochanthanivong has won weather awards at the squadron and group levels, but this is his first Air Force level award. He was notified that he won early last month and is currently waiting for his trophy to be delivered to Scott from the Pentagon.

This is the second Air Force level award received by the 15th OWS in addition to an award form the Air Force Weather Agency.

The 15th Operational Weather Squadron provides forecasts to more than 120 military installations and sites across a 22-state region of the northeastern United States. Additionally, the Squadron is one of six training hubs following the initial weather training for Airmen and officers.