Air Force Weather

Air Force Weather Mission Statement: "Deliver the highest quality mission-tailored weather and space environment information, products, and services to our nations combat forces, anytime, anyplace… mud to sun."

AFW Organization. Air Force Weather (AFW) services and support are organized under the functional management of the Directorate of Weather, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force (HQ USAF/XOW). AFW operates through a three-tier organizational structure corresponding to the three levels of military operations - strategic, operational and tactical.

Strategic Level. AFW’s strategic weather units are centers of expertise in providing strategic-level terrestrial and space weather products and support necessary to conduct military operations. The Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) is the principal strategic weather center, and it also provides select operational and tactical-level support to special operations. The Air Force Combat Climatology Center (AFCCC) provides centralized climatological data services.

Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA). AFWA, located at Offutt AFB, NB, produces mission-tailored, global weather products and services 24 hours a day to meet the requirements of the DoD. AFWA provides regional, theater-scale meteorological model outputs to operational and tactical-level weather units. AFWA services include meteorological satellite imagery, numerical weather prediction model data, aviation, terminal and target forecasts, prediction of severe weather, automated flight planning, exercise and special mission support and computations for ballistic missile systems as well as the collection and dissemination of environmental data. AFWA also provides space environmental support for worldwide operations to the DoD. Space Weather includes the study of solar storms, geomagnetic storms, ionospheric disturbances and meteor storms. Various agencies gather and process data from ground and space-based sensor networks, analyzes models, and forecast the space environment. AFWA routinely provides forecasts of solar weather effects on ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio, radar systems, and Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation signals.

The Air Force Combat Climatology Center (AFCCC). The Air Force Combat Climatology Center (AFCCC), located in Asheville, North Carolina, is the lead for DoD climatological support. AFCCC collects worldwide weather data to create products that provide critical information based on past weather. Examples of climatological products include typical target weather conditions, frequency of weather limitations at deployed locations, weather limitations on weapon system employment, and crosswind studies. Military planners use this information to maximize the advantage of the weather to the warfighter and minimize the impact of adverse conditions on friendly operations.

Operational Level. AFW’s Operational Weather Squadrons (OWSs) are theater or regional weather centers. Eight OWSs provide operational-level weather products and support to units assigned within, or deployed to, its theater Commander In Chief (CINC) geographic Areas of Responsibility (AOR). In addition, Staff Weather Officers (SWOs) assigned to USAF Major Commands (MAJCOMs), USA Major Commands (MACOMs), and Unified Commands provide direct support to these Headquarters and oversee AFW support aligned with the Command’s subordinate operating forces. OWS support includes: regional and theater scale battlespace forecasts, drop and landing-zone/range/air refueling/target forecasts, executive level briefings, weather watches and warnings, and Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) for each base within their region. The OWS will also provide briefing support to transient aircrews or aircrews not collocated with a Combat Weather Team. OWS areas of responsibilities, phone numbers, and web page URLs can be found in the DoD FLIP Supplements and Flight Information Handbook.

Tactical Level. AFW support to operational USAF and USA field units is organized for tactical, mission-specific operations. A Combat Weather Team (CWT) is a generic term used to describe a weather team providing mission tailored weather products and services to a supported unit. CWTs are normally organized as Weather Flights (WF) under Operational Support Squadrons (OSS) for USAF operations, or may be organized as Detachments (Det) or Combat Weather Squadrons (CWS) under Air Support Operations Groups (ASOG) for USA operations. CWTs deploy with operational warfighters as required. The CWT is the cornerstone of AFW support to operational field unit mission. It is likely that your interactions will be limited to contact with the OWS and the CWT. CWTs provide aircrew and flight safety briefings, PMSV support, mission-tailored products (Mission Execution Forecasts), MISSIONWATCH (monitors supported customer’s flying areas, routes, and missions), METWATCH (monitors OWS produced forecasts, issues "observed" weather advisories), surface observations, Tactical Decision Aids (TDAs), and Integrated Weather and Environment Decision Aid (IWEDA) to predict go/no go weather thresholds. Other responsibilities include resource protection for DoD personnel and assets by keeping commanders abreast of weather watches, warnings and advisories. Briefers provide tailored aircrew briefings for each phase of flight. Briefings are available in-person, via telephone or in some circumstances closed circuit monitor. A few CWTs may not maintain a continuous 24-hour briefing and forecasting service. If weather services are unavailable at your location, contact the regional OWS or MAJCOM approved weather source.

The OWS-CWT-Aircrew Interface. The continuous interface between the OWS, CWT, and aircrew is essential for mission weather support improvement and mission success. OWSs create products and monitor weather for its CINC’s AOR. Thus, OWS technicians develop long-term weather knowledge for the AOR. This improves theater forecast quality and mission support. One example of the OWS-CWT interface occurs during the forecast (TAF) process. OWS’s coordinate forecast content with the local CWT before issuing the TAF for the CWT’s base. CWT’s monitor the TAF and notify the OWS when conditions are met requiring TAF amendment. This creates a situation where the OWS and CWT are in frequent communication. Deployed CWTs will use the AOR OWS for support. Thus, an aircrew deployed within its CINC’s AOR is serviced by the same OWS and/or CWT as home base. If your assigned CWT is not deployed with you, it still must arrange your TDY weather support. OWS’s will directly support aircrews in their AOR when no CWT is assigned or available.

CWT-Aircrew Interface. CWT-aircrew interface enhances mission-focused support. CWTs work closely with aircrews to learn aircraft capabilities, mission profiles and tactics. This ensures CWTs better understand weather impacts on the mission. CWTs use this information to determine the best mission support products. CWTs can show you how these products are used to create MEFs resulting in a more knowledgeable aircrew. The interface allows for aircrew feedback directly to the CWT. Post-mission aircrew analysis of the weather encountered vice the MEF gives the CWT’s a chance to evaluate product effectiveness. CWTs use product effectiveness evaluation to adjust the data for future MEFs. This results in improved mission support. This interaction is analogous to the aircrew and Intel interface and integral for mission success.