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50 Years of Success for the Joint Typhoon Warning Center

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090505-06
Release Date: 5/5/2009 5:24:00 AM

By Bob Falvey and Lt. j.g. Casey Hughes, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) marked its 50th anniversary in a ceremony held at the Ford Island Conference Center in Pearl Harbor that recognized the contributions the center has made in the Pacific region April 29.

"The Joint Typhoon Warning Center keeps our ships safe from [typhoons], and we owe them certainly our respect and tidings on their 50th anniversary," said Adm. Robert Willard , commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, in his recent Rat-Pac Report.

"I'm proud of the Sailors and Airmen at JTWC and their dedication and service to protect lives and property," said Rear Adm. Tom Copeman, U.S. Pacific Fleet deputy chief of staff for Operations, Training and Readiness and guest speaker for the event.

JTWC was born of the worst U.S. military tropical cyclone loss since 1889, Typhoon Cobra, also often referred to as "Halsey's Typhoon," on Dec. 14, 1944.

Task Force 38, under command of Fleet Adm. William Halsey, encountered the typhoon about 300 miles east of Luzon, Philippines. The typhoon claimed 790 Sailors and 150 aircraft, sank three destroyers and caused damage to nine other warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Monterey.

As a result that typhoon, weather stations were set up in the Caroline Islands, Manila, Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa and new weather central offices were established on Guam and the Philippines.

In May 1959, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command established JTWC under the command of the U.S. Navy's Fleet Weather Central, Guam. JTWC had the sole responsibility for tropical cyclone reconnaissance and forecasting in the western North Pacific Ocean.

Over the past 50 years, JTWC's area of responsibility has expanded to include the Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific Ocean. In 1995, the Base Realignment and Closure committee recommended JTWC relocate to Hawaii. The move to the Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center Pearl Harbor was completed in 1999.

Today, JTWC is manned by military and civilian personnel from the Naval Maritime Forecast Center Pearl Harbor, and the 17th Operational Weather Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base. These weather professionals maintain a 24-7 watch on the Pacific and Indian oceans for tropical cyclone development, which encompasses nearly 90 percent of the world's tropical cyclone activity.