Rokerthon 2

Al Roker, TODAY Show weather anchor, delivers a weather report during a segment of the TODAY Show on the flight line at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Nov. 11, 2015. Keesler was one stop during the show’s Rokerthon 2 as Roker attempts a world record by reporting national and local weather from all 50 states. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Roker

Al Roker, “TODAY” Show weatherman, poses with U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter Capt. Kimberly Spusta, an aerial reconnaissance weather officer with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Roker did a forecast at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Nov. 11, 2015, in front of students from the 81st Weather Training Flight and a 403rd Wing WC-130J. As part of “Rokerthon 2,” the weatherman is doing a forecast from each of the 50 states in seven days and started Nov. 6, 2015. Last year, Roker earned a Guinness World Record title for the longest weather forecast even 34 hours straight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo)

Rokerthon 2

Al Roker, TODAY Show weather anchor, takes a “selfie” with the 335th Training Squadron mascot, 81st Training Wing leadership and Airmen from the 81st Training Group and 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron following Roker’s weather report during a segment of the TODAY Show on the flight line at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Nov. 11, 2015. Keesler was one stop during the show’s Rokerthon 2 as Roker attempts a world record by reporting national and local weather from all 50 states. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Rokerthon 2

Cols. Frank Amodeo, 403rd Wing commander and Michele Edmondson, 81st Training Wing commander, speak with Al Roker, TODAY Show weather anchor, following Roker’s weather report during a segment of the TODAY Show on the flight line at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Nov. 11, 2015. Keesler was one stop during the show’s Rokerthon 2 as Roker attempts a world record by reporting national and local weather from all 50 states. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Rokerthon 2 highlights Team Keesler on Veterans Day

Published Nov. 17, 2015
By Senior Airman Duncan McElroy
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Al Roker, TODAY Show weather anchor, stopped by Keesler as part of his Guinness World Record-breaking effort "Rokerthon 2" on Veterans Day today.

"Rokerthon 2" sees the weatherman delivering national and local weather forecasts in all 50 states in just one week.

At his stop in Biloxi, Mississippi, Roker highlighted Airmen, Sailors and Marines who attend the 335th Training Squadron's weather school, the only school of its kind in the Defense Department, and the 403rd Wing's Hurricane Hunters.

"To be on a military facility on Veterans Day is very special," Roker said. "It's very moving, the idea that we can't celebrate anything in our country without thanking our military."

Capt. Kimberly Spusta, a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial weather reconnaissance officer, was part of the audience and said she is a huge Al Roker fan. Spusta, who majored in broadcast meteorology in college, said it's been her dream since high school to become the next Al Roker, but she joined the military instead.

"This was a great opportunity not only for myself, but for all the Airmen, Sailors and Marines at the weather school," said Spusta, who was a weather officer on active duty for 10 years before transferring to the U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters this summer. "It's so cool that he chose to stop by Keesler as part of his trip."

While Roker was on his way from Louisiana to Mississippi, Tech. Sgt. Yuri Miller, 334th TRS combat control instructor and Bronze Star with Valor recipient, rode along to share his story and spend time with the popular TV personality.

Once on the flightline, Roker delivered a forecast, interviewed with local media and gave a shout out to the 53 Airmen, Sailors and Marines who were on scene for the visit.

"It was great to have Al Roker come here to highlight the service men and women across the Air Force and Department of Defense, but to really share it with us at Keesler," said Col. Michele Edmondson, 81st Training Wing commander. "They all called mom and dad last night and told them to watch TV this morning - what a great way to celebrate Veterans Day and Team Keesler."

(Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo, 403d Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this story.)