NOAA 98-R814
Contact: Jeanne Kouhestani
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/29/98

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Aircraft Operations Center has been honored with two prestigious awards from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Silver Medal was awarded for AOC's extraordinary response to NOAA's call to study and forecast the unusual weather associated with this past winter's severe El Niño episode. In a separate ceremony, the Bronze Medal was awarded to AOC for achieving continuous and multiple flight operations through Hurricane Georges and providing critical data that saved lives and greatly reduced property damage in the U.S. coastal areas.

Dr. James McFadden, a physical scientist on AOC's program staff, accepted the Silver Medal on behalf of AOC from Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C.

Stan Czyzyk, who serves as a flight meteorologist for AOC's Science and Engineering Division, was presented the Bronze Medal on behalf of the center by NOAA Administrator D. James Baker at a ceremony in Silver Spring, Md.

For the Silver Medal, AOC and NOAA's Environmental Technology Laboratory's Meteorological Applications and Assessment Division were recognized for their dedication and efforts during the California Land-Fall Jets Experiment and the Northern Pacific Experiment. The results obtained from these two experiments were a key part of early warnings that saved lives and reduced property damage during the El Niño- induced storms along the California coast during the winter of 1998. In the longer term, their research will greatly enhance the nation's ability to respond to future short-term climate variability.

For the Bronze Medal, the Aircraft Operations Center was recognized for the extraordinary efforts of all its employees in sustaining high-tempo flight operations during Hurricane Georges. NOAA's two WP-3D's and Gulfstream-IV "hurricane hunter" aircraft conducted 23 missions, totaling more than 170 hours. Throughout the entire evolution of the storm, the aircraft maintained a 100 percent readiness rate, exceeding programmatic requirements for hurricane reconnaissance, research and surveillance. Ground crews made rushed repairs at remote sites, while support personnel in Tampa worked around the clock providing logistical support, as well as shutting down the center and running operations from the field during the base closure when Tampa came under a tropical storm watch.

Despite the stressful conditions, fatigue, and hazardous flights into extreme weather conditions, adherence to established procedures and safety considerations were maintained. The data obtained from the aircraft provided vital storm tracking and measurement information to the National Hurricane Center. This information was used to assist the American public in storm preparations and evacuations, and contributed significantly to public safety and reduced property damage in the U.S. coastal areas.

The Aircraft Operations Center is part of the Office of NOAA Corps Operations, composed of civilians and commissioned officers of the NOAA Corps. AOC is located at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.

The Secretary grants the Silver Medal -- the Department's second highest honorary award -- to employees who have made contributions of exceptional value in support of overall Departmental goals that serve the nation. The Bronze Medal is the highest honorary award given by NOAA, an agency of the Department of Commerce. It is granted by the Administrator for a significant contribution to NOAA or the Department.