Well, our 2022 SWIFT adventure has (sadly) come to a close, but we were fortunate to enjoy great success in the field--especially on our last two chase days in Texas! I hope that everyone has enjoyed reading of our exploits as we've traveled through the Plains and Midwest enjoying local food, local culture, beautiful scenery, and, most importantly, learning about and observing the wonders of our amazing atmosphere through storm chasing! This year marks my fifth and final time co-leading/leading SWIFT as I will be retiring from the Navy this summer and entering PhD study in severe storms this fall at North Carolina State University. I could not think of a more fitting or enjoyable way to conclude my time at USNA and 20 years of active duty than being on SWIFT!
As I reflect on the five years I've been privileged to be a part of this internship and "mobile classroom" experience, there are a number of individuals and groups that I would like to thank:
(1) The amazing students who have eagerly participated and engaged with SWIFT since my first trip in 2017. Their enthusiasm for severe weather and willingness to endure two weeks traveling thousands of miles in a van (with lack of personal space) has been the reason for the existence of SWIFT. I thank them for their constructive feedback on the training, helpful suggestions through the years, and (mostly) good taste in music!
(2) The staff, teachers, and students of the various Tulsa-area schools in Oklahoma who have invited us to outreach with them each year and share our passion for science with the next generation.
(3) The professionals at the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma--especially Mr. Bill Bunting--for graciously hosting our group each year for an in-depth brief of their mission/responsibilities and tour of the National Weather Center facility and University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology. The forecasts and products they produce not only help inform government entities, the private sector, and the general public of severe weather risk and safety, but also have been instrumental to our own situational awareness and decision-making in the field.
(4) The USNA STEM Center for their dependable financial support of SWIFT through the years and the training and supplies they have provided for our school outreach.
(5) The leadership of the Oceanography Department at USNA for their support of our training and trust in us to safely execute our trip each year.
(6) The support staff of the Oceanography Department at USNA for their expertise in setting up our van power supply each year.
(7) The other USNA entities who have provided support to us through the years (Prof. Joyce Shade for travel issues, IT for providing mobile mifi units for our van, transportation for accommodating our van request...and giving us their best!, and any others I have failed to mention).
(8) My co-lead from 2021 and 2022, Frank Carmody.
(9) My wife, Corinne, and son, Andrew, for putting up with my two-week absence every May.
And last, but perhaps most importantly...
(10) Dr. Brad Barrett whose vision and leadership first brought SWIFT to life in 2010 and who led/co-led the trip nine times--including three times with myself in 2017, 2018, and 2019. His enthusiasm for severe weather study in general and SWIFT in particular was instrumental in not only making SWIFT one of the most challenging/rewarding summer internships at USNA, but also in launching the now permanent USNA course SO242: Tornadoes and Severe Storms.
Again, a hearty 'thank you' to you all!
For all prior SWIFTers, please keep in touch (matthew.burich@gmail.com). I'm always happy to have a good chase partner (or partners) in the field...or just meet up for a drink! I look forward to hearing of your exploits and successes in the coming years.
Thanks for reading, and farewell to all!
Matt Burich
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