Smeland

Air Force Senior Airman

Ben Smeland, son of Karen Mortland of Chicora, is a computer systems programmer with the U.S. Air Force Weather Agency, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Neb.He is a member of a team of more than 800 men and women that is the premier agency for Department of Defense climatology forecasting.The 1999 graduate of Karns City High School, earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind.Smeland maintains legacy software that produces weather images used by forecasters locally and in the field. He also works on developing new processes to simplify and accelerate production and as make the job easier for future programmers.The weather agency provides weather broadcasts, forecasting weather for close to 120 cities by way of direct satellite and the Pentagon Channel. Its technicians monitor our solar system for solar interference or atmospheric disturbances that can wreak havoc with satellite and radio communications; and their forecasts also affect the combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan by giving ground commanders vital forecasting information.———

Army Pvt. <B>William James </B>has graduated from One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Ky., which included basic combat training and advanced individual training.He is the son of Patricia James of Evans City.———Army Spec. <B>Brian Grabowski</B>, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Grabowski of Zelienople, has joined the Army.Grabowski, currently a senior at Seneca Valley High School, enlisted in the Army as a trumpet player. This summer, he will complete basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training at the Army Element School of Music in Norfolk, Va.———

Army Pfc. <B>Steven Walter</B>, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Walter of Butler, has joined the ArmyThe 2004 alumnus of Butler High School enlisted in the as an infantryman and will complete both basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga.