Lloyd Johnson, 94th Operations Group meteorologist technician, poses
on November 2, 2018. Brig. Gen. Richard Kemble, 94th Airlift Wing
commander, presented Johnson with a letter from AFRC announcing
Johnson as this year’s Weather Civilian of the Year. (U.S. Air Force photo
Real Hero Report | January 2019 | 2
Dobbins Weatherman
on Cloud 9 after
Winning Civilian
of the Year
Lloyd Johnson, 94th Operations Group meteorologist
technician, was surprised when he learned from the wing
commander recently that he had been awarded Air Force
Reserve Command Weather Civilian of the Year.
“I didn’t think they were putting me in for a (major command)
award,” said Johnson. “I had no idea until the general showed up,
Airlift Wing commander, presented Johnson with a letter from
AFRC announcing Johnson as this year’s Weather Civilian of the
Year. Johnson has been forecasting weather for Dobbins since
2004.
As an Air Force veteran with 26 years of service, Johnson is no
has won as a civilian.
“I try to take initiative whenever there’s an issue that needs to
be solved or if there’s anything someone needs help with, I try to
step in and help out,” said Johnson.
This desire to help others goes beyond his duties as a weather
forecaster and includes assisting with writing duty schedules
and tracking personal leave. “Managing duty schedules is vital
to the small weather shop on base where only one person can be
on leave at a time,” said Johnson. “This can be challenging to
balance work schedules with requests to attend birthdays or go on
family vacations.”
“We’re trying to juggle all that,” Johnson continued. “It’s a
morale issue too because we work rotating shifts so we make sure
no one works too many days or too many swing shifts. Too many
day shifts, you’re working too hard, too many swings and you’re
not getting enough experience, or if you’re working nights, you’re
away from your spouse.”
“Getting these schedules balanced is also highly important
to the wing’s mission, as a number of operations depend on
information the weather shop provides.”
they have to put into the computers so they can decide what
angle they want to attack their target or release their personnel or
equipment, so it lands on time and on target.”
Johnson is humble about winning the award, and believes the
fellow weather team members as well.
“There are a lot of good folks here who do a lot of good work,”
Johnson concluded.
Johnson said he is proud to work with such a great team.
Lloyd Johnson, 94th Operations Group meteorologist technician, looks at
a weather radar at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, on November 2,
2018.