'Weather for kids' brings meteorology to Lincoln Published April 26, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- A member of the 341st Operations Support Squadron's weather flight visited Lincoln Elementary School April 20 for a quarterly 'Weather for Kids' presentation. Staff Sgt. Jill Safken, a forecaster, spoke with the children about her job and responsibilities at Malmstrom. The classes are currently studying weather. "The 'Weather for Kids' program was designed with the intention of increasing community relations and educating the local area on the meteorological career field and how our unit supports Malmstrom," said 1st Lt. Brian Yates, Weather Flight commander. "The presentation involves a short video that breaks down Air Force weather into three different tiers - Air Force Weather Agency Space Weather, Operational Weather Squadron and Combat Weather Teams, or specialized Combat Weather," Sergeant Safken said. "Also included was a PowerPoint presentation detailing our specific mission at Malmstrom, and a few short clips of tornadoes, hurricanes and floods." Portable forecasting equipment also went along to enhance the presentation. "I took an anemometer (a device that measures winds), compass and the Kestrel (a device that measures winds, temperatures and pressure)," Sergeant Safken said. "All these are great hands-on weather equipment for the kids to explore." This program began in the spring of 2006 when weather flight members briefed at Loy Elementary School during career day and has been a quarterly program since that point, Lieutenant Yates said. "I think this program helps the kids realize the importance of weather forecasters and how weather affects everyone," Sergeant Safken said. "This program has been very successful with the younger generation of school children," Lieutenant Yates said.