Row 1 (top – left to right): NWS staffers Terry Barron, Trevor Boucher, Brian Carcione, Dana Griffin, Stephen Latimer, Kurt Weber
Row 2: Jennifer Lee, Sam Shamburger, Kris White, Larry Vanozzi, David Nadler
Row 3: Don Trull, Brittney Whitehead, Jennifer Schuller, Tom Johnstone
(June 7, 2012) -- Staff from NWS forecast offices in Nashville, Tenn. and Huntsville, Ala. had an opportunity to tour one of the largest propulsion wind tunnel facilities in the world on May 22. The facilities are located at the Arnold Air Force Base Engineering Development Center (AEDC) near Tullahoma, Tenn.
The most advanced and largest complex of flight simulation test facilities in the world, the center operates 30 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, space environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges and other specialized units.
Many of the center's test units have capabilities unmatched anywhere else in the United States. Others are unique in the world. This includes testing on F-14 Tomcat and other aircraft, missiles and even the GOES-M weather satellite.
"We were very impressed with AEDC, particularly the MARK I Space Chamber, which tests weather satellites that are vital to National Weather Service operations," said Huntsville Warning Coordination Meteorologist David Nadler.
Thanks to the joint efforts of the Huntsville and Nashville staffs and the Coffee County Emergency Management Agency, Arnold AFB was recognized as a StormReady® location in March 2011. It was the first government/military complex in Tennessee to receive the recognition.
Since then, the relationship between the partners continues to grow through various emergency service workshops, weather safety/spotter training and local visits.
