5/7/2011 - Master Sgt. Jason Ronsse, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, removes dust and debris from the FMQ-19 Automatic Observation System's housing unit March 11, 2011. This ensures air flow to the sensors is not blocked, guaranteeing the most accurate data available. Weather changes are critical; even a small temperature shift can alter how much fuel a KC-10 aircraft can carry on a mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)

5/7/2011 - Master Sgt. Jason Ronsse, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, cleans the temperature sensor on a FMQ-19 Automatic Observation System March 11, 2011. The FMQ-19 gives the operator data on subjects such as temperature, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, precipitation in the form of snow, freezing rain, or rain and lightning. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)

5/7/2011 - Tech. Sgt. Shannon Byers, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, ensures the connections on an AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System are secure and show no signs of galling or corrosion during a preventative maintenance inspection. These systems use the Iridium network of 66 low-earth orbiting satellites to provide near-real-time mission-critical weather data to war planners and decision makers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)

5/7/2011 - Tech. Sgt. Shannon Byers, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, inspects the rain gauge on the AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System March 11, 2011. The Iridium-based system allows the teams to start transmitting weather data from any location on the globe within an hour of arrival. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)

5/7/2011 - Tech. Sgt. Shannon Byers, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, checks the transient/surge protector sacrifice indicators on an AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System during a preventative maintenance inspection March 11, 2011. The basic system configuration measures surface pressure, temperature, dew point, wind direction and speed, and liquid precipitation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)

5/7/2011 - Tech. Sgt. Shannon Byers, 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, pours water over AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Maintenance System (TMOS) solar panel to clear dust and debris during a preventative maintenance inspection March 11, 2011. For combat weather teams, the TMOS provides current weather data to planners and field commanders in support of their missions around the world faster, easier and safer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)