When Wisconsin native Peter Birkrem joined the Air Force to become a pilot, he never predicted his bachelor of science in Meteorology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison would lead him to the unpredictable skies of northwest Oklahoma, the home of Vance Air Force Base and the 71st Flying Training Wing. In the last 6 months, 2nd Lt. Birkrem has seen wild weather including pipe-bursting subzero temps, triple-digit heat waves and even a tornado. Phenomena made all the more interesting because he understands the science behind it.

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Photo credit: © Operation 2021 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: pilot, proud, vance, weather, wisconsin