FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Dec. 9, 2023, was Master Sgt. Janeen Hansen Lewis’ first shift alone at the weather station, covering for a forecaster who’d called in sick. It was also the day of the deadly tornado that ripped across north Clarksville. Before her shift was over, Hansen Lewis sent out a prescient Tornado Watch with an hour lead time. She also issued a Tornado Warning seven minutes before the tornado hit – faster than the National Weather Service.
Hansen Lewis is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) Weather Team, Detachment 4 of the 18th Combat Weather Squadron. Part of the Air Force’s 18th Combat Weather Squadron out of Fort Liberty, NC, the detachment monitors conditions in and around Fort Campbell 24 hours a day.
The team’s forecast has to be very specific. As the non-commissioned officer in charge, Hansen Lewis manages weather support for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade’s flights and exercises on and off Fort Campbell.
Because different flights require different conditions, Detachment 4 cannot use percentage point forecasts. Hansen Lewis said that the detachment is responsible for briefing aviators and giving them a go or a no-go for flights, which fall into very specific criteria.
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They are also responsible for issuing severe weather warnings within 10 nautical miles of their office, covering Fort Campbell and some nearby areas.
Despite the damage caused by the Dec. 9 tornado, Hansen Lewis told Clarksville Now she was able to take some pride that her quick response and accurate forecasts helped protect lives. “At the end of the day, it’s such a good feeling that I was able to do that, even with all the emotions that came afterwards,” she said.
Army briefings for 101st CAB
1st Lt. Donovan Pranzoni is the officer in charge of the team, and he works with the 101st CAB to integrate weather support into their mission.
As a frequent liaison between the detachment and the 101st CAB, Pranzoni stressed the importance of confidence in his team and good relationships, especially considering sometimes unpredictable weather.
“The more your forecast is accurate the more they will start to trust you even if you get a wrong call every now and then,” said Pranzoni. He said that knowing his team’s skills and trusting their capabilities was important, especially considering the requirements of an Army briefing.
He said that in the briefings, they have to say, “Hey, this is gonna happen, we’re gonna see this, it’s going to affect you like this.”
“If we use a bunch of maybes or ‘Here’s a really really broad window in which this could happen,’ the Army starts to lose a little bit of confidence in you,” said Pranzoni.
Detachment 4’s weather station is staffed 24/7 forecasting flight conditions and watching for severe weather. They provide critical mission support and enable the 101st Airborne to accomplish their mission.
Correction: The tornado hit on Dec. 9, 2023. The article has been updated.