Jacob Ballard

Serving as NCOIC Data Ingest: Monitored, tested, and evaluated incoming weather data for permanent archive into Department of Defense (DoD) sole climatological database (db)
- Assured data integrity and availability to support Joint Forces, Major Commands, intelligence community (IC) operations planning while maintaining $1.25M climate db
- Analyzed and converted archived weather data into environmental impact decision aids supporting global military operations

- Utilized code (to include unix, sql, and python) to make quality control fixes to historical weather data to ensure quality assurance of data archive

Serving as Additional Duty First Sergeant:

- Primary advisor to the commander on squadron morale, welfare, and discipline enhancing mission readiness

-Delivered mortuary affairs notification consoling Active Duty Airman's next of kin ensuring a warm hand-off to military support agencies

-Responded to suicidal ideation event and coordinated care of multiple mental health crises during global pandemic

- Led 3 commander investigations coordinating with 4 base agencies elevating allegations and corrective actions to key leadership helping enforce discipline for 64 squadron members

Serving as Data Operations Flight Chief:

- Lead a 15-mbr Data Ops Flight; overseeing around-the-clock $1.25M data ingest system for DoD's largest climate database
- Managed data ingest & quality control section responsible for 9.2B global weather observations into 121-yr authoritative climate archive
- Served as Unit Training Manager providing oversight of upgrade training requirements and readiness qualifications

Currently Serving as Flight Chief of Command Support Staff:

-Serving as Squadron Resource Advisor, Defense Travel System Approver and Government Purchase Card Approver, managed a $310K budget actioning the wing priorities to transition to the cloud environment posturing the DoD's only climate mission to best meet Combatant Commander needs.

- Acting as Operations Superintendent, oversaw 164 tailored requests and 50 global and regional climate outlooks in support of 319 mission partners aiding 9 named operations and exercises.

-Brought functional leads and engineers together to
develop a cloud storage architecture and transition testing strategy that minimized technical debt while meeting future requirements.

- Served as Self Assessment Program Manager charged with overseeing 38 squadron programs ensuring compliance with Commander's Inspection Program and the validation of 38 program checklist items.

-As Airfiel Non-Commishioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) lead a team of 6 in support of air and ground weapons development testing while integrating test specific weather with mission support utilizing weather ballons to measure wind, temperature, and humidity through the upper atmosphere.
- Provided operational flying and ground weather support to tactical/strategic/special operations agencies spanning 134K sq miles of water and land ranges in support of 9 Wings and 120 aircraft (F-35, F-16, F-15, C-130, A-10, etc)

- Supported over $42M in advanced munitions test projects of the Air Armament Center and the 96th Test Wing
- Issued weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and advisories crucial to flight safety and resource protection of $4.5B in assets

-Served in a special duty as Honor Guard NCOIC leading a team of 20 people in support of special ceremonies and funeral details encompassing an area of operation to include 2 states, 20K sq miles and charged with the maintenance and procurement of $80K in equipment

- Prepared mission execution forecasts (MEFs) for 159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalions and supported units (AH-64, UH-60, CH-47 aircrafts)
- Coordinated wx products impacting all facets of military operations; informed Air Traffic Control/aircrews/leaders of weather watches/warnings
- Operated and maintained communication systems and garrison/tactical meteorological equipment valued at $622K
- Maintains proficiency in field skills and tactical weather operations; deployed in support of exercises/contingency operations - 3rd Infantry Division, Command Operating Base Speicher (Tikrit, Iraq)

- Utilized remote sensing equipment/tactical meteorological equipment to collect atmospheric data located in remote areas, enhancing the quality of information used to increase capabilities in mission execution

- Analyzed and interpreted meteorological data collected by surface and upper-air stations, satellites and radar to develop reports and forecasts for Air Force Air Bases throughout Europe.

- Studied and interpreted synoptic reports, maps, photographs and prognostic charts to predict long and short range weather conditions.

- Conducted thorough research on atmospheric phenomena to contribute to the advancement of meteorology knowledge.

- Improved weather forecasting accuracy by utilizing advanced meteorological tools and data analysis techniques.

- Streamlined communication processes between fellow meteorologists, pilots and personnel on Air Bases throughout Europe, ensuring seamless presentation of vital weather information.

- Issued severe weather alerts providing resource protection for locations throughout Europe.

- Maintained deep knowledge of international geography and topography to provide better weather forecasts and predictions.

- Maintained and operated sophisticated meteorological equipment, scientific instruments, technology and software.