Know the ground, know the weather, your victory will then be total. Weather may be the most significant factor in all combat operations. One of the big impacts weather will have on this exercise is the heat. As all Marines know, when the temperature rises, water consumption is important so as to not become a heat casualty. Temperature is one of the leading factors effecting how training is conducted.
Oceanographic information is also important to amphibious operations.
When a landing craft approaches any shore the direction and speed of the current and the tides are a big factor on when, how, and where the craft land, said Brewer. Yet another example is an aircraft carrier. The wave height, wind direction and wind speed are variables that must be considered when launching aircraft off of a carrier. All of these factors could impose a large problem for aircraft conducting flight operations from a carrier if the carrier isn t aligned properly with the wind. While the rest of the Marines in the Air Station weather office will continue to cover the weather conditions for New River, Brewer said he would be on top of the mission at hand.