Project Partnership 2014 with Italian Alpini in the Southern Alps

After the summer training held on Caserma Ederle in mid-June of last year, it was time for the U.S. Air Force 7th Weather Squadron Airmen to meet again with the Italian Army soldiers, the Comando Truppe Alpini - Servizio Meteomont, and take part in the biannual Project Partnership, which traditionally takes place in December of each year at Passo Tonale, a high mountain pass in the Southern Alps between the Lombardy and Trentino regions.

The primary goal of Dec. 14-20 weeklong training was to strengthen strategic NATO partnerships while sharing experience and gaining new techniques in the ambit of weather and weather forecasting.

The training was led by five Italian Alpini soldiers and this year's attendees included five Air Force members, two Lebanese Special Forces Ranger Company commanders, a French Mountain Force Company commander, and six Italian Weather Service civilians.

"Through the relations we have forged over the years, we have been able to build professional contacts, share expertise, and strengthen our relationship with our host nation and NATO allies in support of theater security cooperation," said Air Force Capt. Kyle Palmer, commander of the 7th Weather Squadron, Detachment 3.

"The meteorological and technical skills we learn bear impact to our current global engagements where snowfall and mountain forecasting require specific knowledge of the terrain and how the environmental nuances pose a significant threat to avalanches and other mountain-induced environmental disasters," he said.

The program with the Alpini, which started in 2002, teaches a range of topics such as mountain maneuver and exploration (skiing), avalanche forecasting, Italian weather products, and the Italian civilian and military meteorological services and capabilities.

"Project Partnership provided a unique opportunity to learn from and interact with various military and civilian services from other countries with a focus on weather," said Air Force 1st Lt. Tyler Nelson, 7th WS Det. 3 officer in charge.

"I have learned valuable forecasting techniques that neither my military career nor schooling touched on. This training expanded my weather knowledge immensely in an area that never would have been addressed otherwise. Not only were the classes informative, but also interacting with the different nations involved in the training," he said.

Nelson also added how learning from each other's unique experiences broaden their perspective on, not just weather, but a myriad of other topics. "This was definitely a highlight in my career and something I will always remember and cherish being a part of," Nelson said.

Gaining knowledge of the techniques and products used to forecast avalanches was an important opportunity for all the participants.

Staff Sgt. Jessica Wells, a Forecaster with 7th WS Det. 2 said, "The lessons were informative and at times very hands on. The course itself was a great learning opportunity but, for me, the opportunity to meet military members from several other countries and enjoy camaraderie through learning was the best part. We were able to not only learn from the Italian Army, but Lebanese and French military members as well. Project Partnership truly created an atmosphere in which this was possible."

A ceremony with a plaque presentation to the Alpini Instructors concluded the weeklong training.

After this annual experience Palmer said, "We value this opportunity as an annual capstone event where we are able to cross feed our meteorological capabilities, as Air Force weather personnel, with our Italian and NATO counterparts. Furthermore, this exercise affords us the opportunity to showcase the U.S. military's professional and technical aptitude, thereby strengthening our allies' confidence in U.S. Airmen and Soldiers."