Bio
Lt Col James Hughes is an Instructor of Meteorology in the Department of Physics and Meteorology at the US Air Force Academy. Lt Col Hughes entered the Air Force in May 2003 through Air Force ROTC. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Master of Science degree in Meteorology from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Lt Col Hughes has been assigned to various roles as a weather officer, serving as a Flight Commander at the 21st Operational Weather Squadron, and as a Detachment Commander at the remote Learmonth Solar Observatory in Australia. Lt Col Hughes continued his leadership roles as an Operations Officer for the 96th Weather Squadron at Eglin AFB, supporting diverse missions from F-15/F-16 developmental and operation test, F-35 training, the final phase of Ranger School, and the jointly staffed Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal. His previous assignment was teaching Physical Geography and Meteorology at the United States Military Academy (West Point). Lieutenant Colonel Hughes has also served overseas for three deployments. He deployed twice to Southwest Asia, supporting the Army as a division Staff Weather Officer and Detachment Commander. His latest deployment was as a Wing Executive Officer in Southwest Asia, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Education
Master of Science, Meteorology, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California (2007)
Bachelor of Science, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (2003)
Professional Experience
Assistant Professor of Meteorology, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York (2023)
Meteorology Instructor, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York (2019-2023)
Operations Officer, 96th Weather Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida (2016-2019)
Commander, Detachment 1, 2nd Weather Squadron, Learmonth Solar Observatory, Australia (2014-2016)
Flight Commander, 21st Operational Weather Squadron, Kapaun AS, Germany (2012-2014)
Chief, Education and Training, 7th Weather Squadron, Heidelberg, Germany (2010-2012)
Chief Technology Transfer Team, Air Force Weather Agency/16th Weather Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska (2009-2010)
AFIT Student, Naval Postgraduate School (AFIT CI Program), Monterey, California (2005-2007)
Contingency Operations Weather Officer, 21st Operational Weather Squadron, Sembach AB, Germany (2003-2005)
Honors & Awards
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Research and Scholarly Interests
Tropical Cyclones
Climate Change
Weather and Environmental Science
Weather and Human Health
Publications
Hughes, J. (2022). “SCUSA 73 Table Paper: Can the U.S. Lead the International Fight?” The Class of 1971 Student Conference on U.S. Affairs, SCUSA 73.
Hughes, J. (2021). “SCUSA 72 Table Paper: Climate Change.” The Class of 1971 Student Conference on U.S. Affairs, SCUSA 72.
Elsberry, R., Hughes, J., and Boothe, M. (2008). “Weighted Position and Motion Vector Consensus of Tropical Cyclone Track Prediction in the Western North Pacific.” Monthly Weather Review, volume 136, 2478–2487.