Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Newsroom

    Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      The 25th Operational Weather Squadron /Training team awarded Thor’s Hammer TrophyThe 25th Operational Weather Squadron /Training team awarded Thor’s Hammer Trophy
                        
                        
                        Lt. Gen. Mark Nowland, Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, poses with the 25th Operational Weather Squadron Science and Training Team at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Dec. 6, 2017. The team earned the Thor's hammer trophy by winning the inaugural Thor's Legions Forecast Challenge, which tested the forecasting excellence of weather Airmen across the functional community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        The 25th Operational Weather Squadron /Training team awarded Thor’s Hammer TrophyThe 25th Operational Weather Squadron /Training team awarded Thor’s Hammer Trophy
                        
                        
                        The 25th Operational Weather Squadron Science and Training Team displays the Thor's hammer trophy at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Dec. 6, 2017. The team earned the trophy by winning the inaugural Thor's Legions Forecast Challenge, which tested the forecasting excellence of weather Airmen across the functional community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

25th OWS Science and Training Team awarded Thor’s Hammer TrophyPublished Dec. 6, 2017
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank
                    
                    
                    Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
            **WASHINGTON (AFNS)  --**According to mythology, the Norse god of thunder, Thor, wielded his mighty hammer as he presided over all aspects of weather. That is, when he wasn’t busy fighting forces alongside the “Avengers.”
The 25th Operational Weather Squadron Science and Training Team channeled the spirit of the ancient god as they won the inaugural Thor’s Legions Forecast Challenge and received the Thor’s hammer trophy from Lt. Gen. Mark Nowland, Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Dec. 6, 2017. 
“We control the third domain, and weather plays a big part in that,” said Nowland. “When Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines [are sent out], we have to make sure they’re prepared for combat.” 
The Thor’s Legions Forecast Challenge was held Oct. 10-20, 2017. Weather competitions occur regularly across Air Force units, and often test how accurately Airmen predict first snowfall, maximum hurricane wind speed, precipitation and maximum and minimum temperatures. 
The competition also allowed weather Airmen to see firsthand their role in the Air Force’s air and space mission, giving America the ability to control the ultimate high ground that is essential to winning America’s wars. 
“It’s a great honor to be the first group to win [the trophy],” said Timothy Villaran, 25th OWS and Science Training Team lead. “The forecast challenge was a great way to practice what we teach.”
Forty-nine teams participated in the 10-day challenge, which involved scenarios in China, Kenya, Sweden and Australia. These locations provided challenging environmental conditions, and tested the Airmen’s capabilities to predict wind speeds, ceiling, visibility, present weather and temperatures.
Congratulations to the challenge winners:
Timothy Villaran
William Strickler
William Cassell 
Ronald Bradfordweather operations 



weather 



25th Operational Weather Squadron 



THOR 



Thor’s hammer trophy 



Thor’s Legions Forecast Challenge 



competition 



air and space mission 



congratulations 



winners Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power Competition
                    
                    SECAF, 16th Air Force CC visit America’s Cryptologic WingInnovation
                DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in Hawaii
                    
                    AFWERX accepting applications for spring 2024 fellowship
                    
                    Restoring an F-35A Lightning II: A collaborative endeavorMAJCOM News
                Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander emphasizes five focus areas during AFA Warfare Symposium
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil