Strategic meteorology and oceanography conference held at JBPHH Published April 10, 2025 Pacific Air Force Public Affairs JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- “Our adversaries are patrolling seas and air spaces in frequencies never before seen … we’re not ready for them, and it’s imperative that we become so.” These heavy words were expressed to attendees of the Meteorological and Oceanographic Convergence Conference by Royal Australian Navy Rear Adm. Darren Grogan, U.S. Pacific Fleet Maritime Operations deputy director, to underscore the importance of weather, geographic, and oceanic intelligence efforts on military operations in the Indo-Pacific at Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, Apr. 7-11, 2025. It's the first event bringing the entire Indo-Pacific Command meteorology and oceanography (METOC) career field together, with attendees from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marine Corps, alongside Republic of Korea Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Navy, U.K. MET office, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “When we speak of working together, we started with saying ‘integrated’, then ‘interoperable,” said Grogan, “but I tell you that the next word must be ‘interchangeable’ to maintain our advantage going forward. This may mean embracing someone from another force, another country, even another language … all with the unified goal of seamless joint operations.” The information and council provided by METOC officers can impact logistics, communication networks, sensor performance, air operations, and even the health and morale of personnel. Training with weather and geography in mind increases the realism, can multiply effectiveness, and inform command decisions. “Everyone makes choices based on the weather: it slows travel times, may damage property, or lower morale,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Benjamin Wauer, Pacific Air Forces A3 Weather Operations chief and event co-facilitator. “Militaries are no different, as knowing the conditions being faced can be valuable to us and detrimental to an adversary, so we’re here to leverage that knowledge.” Participants spent five days collaborating to identify operational barriers, areas for improvement, and possible solutions to help warfighters retain advantages in the face of increasing competition, and add another tool to maintaining the safety, security and freedom of the Indo-Pacific.