Hello! This is Gaige Clidinst, Author of the Storm Squad Book(s). I was born in 1996 and was raised in Columbus, Indiana. My fascination with severe weather began in the passenger seat of my dad’s truck, checking out local storms as they moved through the area. That early spark evolved into a lifelong mission: protecting communities through education, outreach, and operational excellence.
As a Columbus Police Cadet throughout high school, I combined civic duty with meteorological curiosity. My senior project focused on enhancing Bartholomew County’s emergency alert system through Everbridge, designing severe weather pamphlets, and canvassing mobile home parks with local fire departments to raise awareness and save lives.
I earned my associate degree in Criminal Justice before joining the United States Air Force in 2018. I served as a Special Missions Aviator for a total of 8 years, 4 of which were spent in Okinawa, Japan. I then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for almost 3 years and became an Instructor, training the next generation of aviators on the HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter. I was medically retired in March of 2026. I will continue chasing my passion in weather and combine it with my motivation to rescue people through Team Dominator Storm Recovery.
With over five years of recreational storm chasing under my belt, I officially joined Team Dominator Storm Recovery in 2025. Team Dominator Storm Recovery is Extreme Meteorologist Dr. Reed Timmer’s sub-organization designed to help communities after devastating severe weather events, and proudly, I am 1 of 2 Search and Rescue leads alongside Casey Billings.
Whether I am coordinating disaster response or mentoring new chasers, I lead with heart, strategy, and a clear-eyed commitment to public safety.
