18th Wing rebuilds Next Generation Weather Radar

A nearly complete Next Generation Weather Radar sits at the top of an abandoned Boy Scout camp, secluded in the woods 1,200 feet away from local residents awaiting final electrical tests near White Beach, Japan, March 5, 2015. It took the coordination of many different squadrons and agencies to build the new tower from the ground up, such as the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 18th Communications Squadron, the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the Radar Operations Center in Norman, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Morris)

18th Wing rebuilds Next Generation Weather Radar

Airmen from the 18th Communications Squadron and local contractors salvage parts from the Next Generation Weather Radar that was destroyed by typhoon Songda in 2011 near White Beach, Japan, Dec. 12, 2012. Following the destruction, White Beach local officials and 18th Wing leadership decided that the NEXRAD would be moved to an abandoned Boy Scout camp, secluded in the woods 1,200 feet away from local residents. (Courtesy photo by Andrew Fletcher)

18th Wing rebuilds Next Generation Weather Radar

Local Okinawan contractors salvage parts from the Next Generation Weather Radar that was destroyed by typhoon Songda in 2011 near White Beach, Japan, March 1, 2014. The new tower is estimated to be completed by April 27, 2015, and will give advanced typhoon and thunderstorm warnings. (Courtesy photo by Andrew Fletcher)

18th Wing rebuilds Next Generation Weather Radar

Local Okinawan contractors construct a tower for the Next Generation Weather Radar for Kadena Air Base, Japan, at an abandoned Boy Scout camp near White Beach, Japan, Feb. 25, 2015. The NEXRAD is designed to improve the accuracy of 18th Operations Support Squadron weather forecasts, increase the time in which they can forecast adverse conditions and enhance flight safety with respect to weather phenomena. (Courtesy photo by Andrew Fletcher)

18th Wing rebuilds Next Generation Weather Radar

Published March 13, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Marcus Morris
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- (Editor's Note: Since this article was published, the completion date for the project has been delayed.)

The 18th Wing is rebuilding the Next Generation Weather Radar that was destroyed by Typhoon Songda in 2011 near White Beach.

After discussions with White Beach local officials and the 18th WG leadership, it was decided that the NEXRAD would be moved to an abandoned Boy Scout camp, secluded in the woods 1,200 feet away from local residence.

This project takes the coordination of many different squadrons and agencies to build the new tower from the ground up, such as the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 18th Communications Squadron, the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the Radar Operations Center in Norman, Oklahoma.

"It has been a great experience working together with all of the different squadrons to complete this project," said 2nd Lt. Chad Martel, 18th CES officer in charge of construction. "This radar system will help the base posture sooner for sorties and be better prepared for inclement weather."

The new tower is estimated to be completed April 27, and it will increase mission effectiveness and base safety.

Some of the benefits of the NEXRAD are:

- Low-Level Wind Shear Detection (75 nm)

- Long-Range Thunderstorm Detection (248 nm)

- Advance Thunderstorm Prediction (20-30 min)

- Enhanced Cloud Base / Top Detection in Airspace

- Advance IFR Ceiling Detection w/ Warm Fronts (1 hr)

- Island-wide Wind Speed Determinations

- Enhanced Typhoon / Storm Tracking and Strength Determinations w/ JTWC

- Advance / Reliable TCCOR Predictions (TCCOR 1+)

- Tornadic Activity Detection

"Once completed, the NEXRAD will be remotely monitored from the 18th Operations Support Squadron weather shop on Kadena Air Base," said 1st Lt. Laura Godoy, 18th OSS wing weather officer. "Overall, the NEXRAD will improve the accuracy of our (the 18th OSS) forecast products, increase the time in which we can forecast adverse weather, and enhance flight safety with respect to weather phenomena."