BY ORDER OF THE AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 15-128 …static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/acc/publication/afi15-128... · air force instruction 15-128 7 february 2011 air combat command

BY ORDER OF THE

SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 15-128

7 FEBRUARY 2011

AIR COMBAT COMMAND

Supplement

17 DECEMBER 2012

Weather

AIR FORCE WEATHER ROLES AND

RESPONSIBILITIES

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY

ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-Publishing website at

www.e-publishing.af.mil for downloading or ordering (the site will

convert to www.af.mil/e-publishing on Air Force Link).

RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.

OPR: HQ USAF/A3O-WP

Supersedes: AFI 15-128, 26 July 2004

Certified by: HQ USAF/A3O-W

(SES Fred P. Lewis)

Pages: 66

(ACC)

OPR: HQ ACC/A3WO

Supersedes: AFI15-128_ACCSUP, 9

March 2005

Certified by: HQ ACC/A3W

(Col Michael J. Dwyer)

Pages:19

This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 15-1, Air Force Weather

Operations. This instruction applies to all organizations in the US Air Force (USAF) with

weather forces assigned, to include Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), Air National Guard

(ANG) and government-contracted weather operations if stated in the Statement of Work (SOW)

or Performance Work Statement (PWS). This instruction defines the mission, organization, roles

and responsibilities of Air Force Weather (AFW) organizations. Major commands (MAJCOMs),

field operating agencies (FOAs) and direct reporting units (DRUs), send one copy of

supplements to HQ USAF/A3O-W, 1490 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1490 for

coordination. Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the office of

primary responsibility (OPR) using the AF IMT 847, Recommendation for Change of

Publication; route AF IMT 847s from the field through the appropriate functional chain of

command. MAJCOMs, FOAs, and DRUs send one copy of implementing instructions to

AF/A3O-WP, 1490 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1490 for review and

coordination.

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2 AFI15-128_ACCSUP_I 17 DECEMBER 2012

Ensure that all records created as a result of processes prescribed in this publication are

maintained in accordance with AFMAN 33-363, Management of Records, and disposed of in

accordance with the Air Force Records Disposition Schedule (RDS) located at

https://www.my.af.mil/afrims/afrims/afrims/rims.cfm. This publication applies to AFRC

units and to the ANG.

(ACC) This supplement provides Air Combat Command (ACC)-specific weather functional

area guidance for implementing Air Force Instruction (AFI) 15-128, Air Force Weather Roles

and Responsibilities. It applies to ACC and ACC-gained weather organizations, including the

Air National Guard (ANG) and government-contracted weather operations if stated in the

Statement of Work or Performance Work Statement. It does not apply to Air Force Reserve

Command (AFRC) units and personnel. Refer recommended changes and questions about this

publication to the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) using AF Form 847, Recommendation

for Change of Publication; route AF Forms 847 from the field through the appropriate chain of

command to the HQ ACC Weather Operations, Plans, and Programs Branch (ACC/A3WO), 205

Dodd Boulevard, Suite 101; Joint Base Langley-Eustis VA 23665-2773. Ensure that all records

created as a result of processes prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with

(IAW) Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 33-363, Management of Records, and disposed of IAW Air

Force Records Information Management System (AFRIMS) Records Disposition Schedule

(RDS) located at https://www.my.af.mil/afrims/afrims/afrims/rims.cfm. See Attachment 1

for a glossary of references and supporting information.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This document is substantially revised and must be completely reviewed.

(ACC) This document has been substantially revised and must be completely reviewed. Major

changes include: deletion of non-doctrinal terms such as “combat weather team” to align with

Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) 3-59, Weather Operations doctrinal terminology;

revisions to HQ ACC Weather Operations Division (HQ ACC/A3W) and aligned HQ ACC

operating location (OL) functional area roles and responsibilities for management of ACC

weather operations, training, and equipment to align with recent changes to applicable new

and/or revised AFIs, program action directives, plans, programs; Army Regulation 115-10/AF

Instruction 15-157 (IP), Weather Support for the U.S. Army (AR 115-10/AFI 15-157 (IP)); and

Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP) AF Specialty Code (AFSC) 1W0XX,

Weather. Additionally, it establishes weather functional area staff responsibilities for the HQ

93d Air Ground Operations Wing (HQ 93 AGOW) weather staff and revises 3d Weather

Squadron (3 WS) and 18th Weather Squadron (18 WS) and Army Service Component Command

(ASCC) staff weather officer (SWO) responsibilities for United States Army Central

(USARCENT), United States Army South (USARSO) and United States Army North

(USARNORTH). Other changes include identifying ACC Battlefield Weather (BW) squadron

roles and responsibilities for training, readiness, plans, and assessment; and establishing ACC

BW squadron responsibilities for assisting ACC-gained ANG weather flights (WF) with

establishing and maintaining unit Self-Assessment Programs; and ACC and ACC-gained weather

organization responsibilities for providing and/or arranging weather support to rotational Army

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AFI15-128_ACCSUP_I 17 DECEMBER 2012 3

unit combat training exercises conducted at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Ft Polk, LA and

the National Training Center, Ft Irwin, CA.

Chapter 1—MISSION 5

1.1. Mission. .................................................................................................................. 5

Chapter 2—ORGANIZATION 7

2.1. Weather Functional Staff Organizations. ............................................................... 7

Figure 2.1. Air Force Relationships for DoD ASNE MSEA Functions ................................... 8

2.2. Operational Organization. ...................................................................................... 14

Chapter 3—AIR FORCE WEATHER AGENCY 16

3.1. AFWA. ................................................................................................................... 16

3.2. 1st Weather Group (1 WXG). ................................................................................ 18

3.3. 2d Weather Group (2 WXG). ................................................................................. 18

Chapter 4—WEATHER SQUADRONS 22

4.1. Operational Weather Squadrons. ........................................................................... 22

Table 4.1. Established Sites. ................................................................................................... 31

4.2. Expeditionary Weather Squadrons (EWXS). ......................................................... 26

4.3. Weather Squadrons supporting Space Launch, Missile, and Test Operations. ...... 26

4.4. Weather Squadrons Supporting Army Operations. ................................................ 26

Table 4.1. (Added) Alignment of ACC BW Squadrons with ACC Gained ANG WFs for

Assistance with Unit Self-Assessment Programs. ................................................. 31

4.5. Weather Squadrons Supporting SOF. .................................................................... 32

4.6. All Weather Squadrons. ......................................................................................... 32

Chapter 5—WEATHER SPECIALTY TEAMS 34

5.1. Weather Specialty Teams (WST). ......................................................................... 34

5.2. WSTs supporting Air and Space Operations Centers (AOC) . .............................. 34

5.3. The 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center)

Weather Operations Directorate [618 AOC (TACC)/XOW]. ............................... 34

5.4. HQ ACC Air Operations Squadron Weather Flight (HQ ACC AOS/AOSW). ..... 35

5.5. Air Force Operations Group (AFOG) Weather Division (AF/A3O-AOW). ......... 35

5.6. Contingency Response Group (CRG). ................................................................... 36

5.7. Responsibilities applicable to all WSTs. ............................................................... 36

Chapter 6—WEATHER FLIGHTS, DETACHMENTS AND OPERATING LOCATIONS 37


6.1. Weather Flights (WF). ........................................................................................... 37

6.2. General. .................................................................................................................. 37

6.2. (ACC) ACC weather squadrons, flights, detachments, and operating locations

will: ........................................................................................................................ 37

6.3. WF Commander/WF Chief and NCOIC. ............................................................... 44

6.3. (ACC) ACC weather squadrons, flights, detachments, and operating locations

will: ........................................................................................................................ 44

6.4. Staff Integration Function. ..................................................................................... 46

6.5. Mission Integration Function. ................................................................................ 47

6.6. Airfield Support Function. ..................................................................................... 49

6.7. Adopted Forms: ..................................................................................................... 50

Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION 51

Attachment 1—(ACC) GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING

INFORMATION 62


Chapter 1

MISSION

Note: The acronym “AFW” is used as a convenience term throughout this document. It refers to

the AF’s weather functional community that supports national, Joint, AF, and Army operations.

It is inclusive of all forces, units, and specialties that are involved in conducting weather

operations and providing weather services. It does not imply any organizational or unit alignment,

nor an Air Force specialty (AFS) alignment. Specific organizations, specialties, and units will be

cited when critical to understanding and technical accuracy within this document.

1.1. Mission. AFW forces, as part of the joint team, deliver accurate, consistent, relevant and

timely environmental information, products and services, anywhere in the world. Executing

their core competencies to collect, analyze, predict, tailor, and proactively integrate

environmental threat information into commanders’ decision cycles [i.e., Joint Operational

Planning Process (JOPP), Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), Intelligence Preparation

of the Battlespace (IPB), operational risk management (ORM) processes, Common Operating

Picture (COP)] and C4ISR systems, AFW forces enable commanders at all levels to anticipate,

mitigate the impact of, and exploit the weather; optimizing air, space, cyberspace, and ground

operations to the advantage of allied objectives and the detriment of the adversary.

1.1.1. Characterization. Characterization encompasses the “collect, analyze and

predict” weather core competencies. Characterization depends on the ability to collect

accurate data, to effectively, correctly analyze that data, and to use the results to produce

a coherent picture of the present and future state of the air and space environment.

1.1.2. Exploitation. Exploitation is the ability to minimize the impact of environmental

threats to friendly forces while simultaneously capitalizing on environmental conditions

that maximize the operational advantage over enemy forces. AFW enables decision

makers to plan and execute weather-optimized courses of action through timely injection

of mission-tailored environmental threat information at every decision point in the

mission planning and execution process.

1.1.2.1. Tailoring. Tailoring is the extraction of data that is pertinent to a specific

mission profile from the overall characterization of the air and space environment.

This information can be spatial, temporal or both, but will always focus on the

mission profile and the associated mission-limiting weather thresholds. Tailoring

does not mean changing the characterization of the air and space environment.

Weather organizations charged with tailoring and exploitation will use the

characterized data provided to them.

1.1.2.2. Integration. Integration is the ability to inject the right information at the

right time every time. The foundation of exploitation, integration is built upon two

tenets: knowledge and relationships.

1.1.2.2.1. Knowledge. Missions are affected by a wide variety of environmental

threats, requiring operational commanders and mission planners to understand the

threats most likely to impair their mission’s effectiveness. AFW leaders must

identify and understand specific impacts of the environment on those missions,


translate those impacts into the mission-language of their supported warfighters

for action, and impart this expertise to their subordinate weather personnel

through enduring training, processes, and procedures. It is crucial to understand

not only the capabilities and sensitivities of mission platforms, equipment and

systems but also mission processes (e.g., mission analysis, planning, course of

action (COA) development/comparison/ selection, and execution) and the points

where weather processes must intersect or work in parallel with these mission

processes. For example, when supporting the Army, one needs to be intimately

involved in the MDMP process, and know key decision points that will influence

the process and optimize the outcome. It is the responsibility of AFW leaders and

their subordinates to actively seek this knowledge using every available resource,

starting with their supported warfighters.

1.1.2.2.2. Relationships. AFW leaders must be proactively involved with their supported

organizations, building trust through the skillful application of weather and mission-based

expertise to maintain commanders’ environmental awareness, optimize mission planning, and

achieve mission success. To be effective, these relationships must be established and actively

maintained with the supported organizations’ key operational decision makers, operators,

intelligence specialists, tactical-level mission planners, schedulers, and weapons and tactics

experts. Once established, AFW personnel will be able to quickly adapt to process and/or

mission changes.


Chapter 2

ORGANIZATION

2.1. Weather Functional Staff Organizations.

2.1.1. Headquarters, United States Air Force, Director of Weather (AF/A3O-

W). AF/A3O-W organizes and functionally manages weather services and support for the

Air Force and Army. The AF/A3O-W staff oversees organizing, training and equipping

weather organizations AF-wide. This includes the following functions that are applicable

across the scope of AFW operations:

2.1.1.1. Develops doctrine, policy, standards and requirements for weather support to the

AF, Army, designated unified commands, national programs, and emergency response

operations.

2.1.1.2. Interfaces with Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) concerning

weather support provided by Battlefield Weather (BW) Airmen to Army forces IAW AR

115-10/AFI 15-157(IP), Weather Support to the U.S. Army. Coordinates with HQDA,

Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), Intelligence (G-2) on Army weather doctrine, policy,

standards and requirements as well as Army installation and aviation/airfield support

resources, programs, and priorities.

2.1.1.3. Evaluates effectiveness of weather forces by maintaining oversight of AFW’s

most critical operational processes through the AFW Standardization and Evaluation

Program for Weather Operations (SEPWO) and other AF evaluations and inspection

programs.

2.1.1.4. Acts as functional manager for the enlisted, officer, and civilian weather career

fields.

2.1.1.5. Plans, programs, and budgets for AF resources.

2.1.1.6. Develops and implements mid and long-range plans for the organization,

equipment, manpower, and technology necessary to meet future AF and Army weather

requirements. Acts as advocate for AF and Army weather requirements.

2.1.1.7. Advocates and oversees fielding of standardized AF weather equipment.

2.1.1.8. Advises MAJCOM functional managers regarding career field, manpower,

personnel utilization, training, operations policy and procedures, and technology

acquisition issues.

2.1.1.9. Directs the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) FOA.

2.1.1.10. AF/A3O-W is delegated the function of Air and Space Natural Environment

(ASNE) Modeling and Simulation Executive Agent (MSEA) for the Department of

Defense (DoD). An MSEA is the DoD component given responsibility across the

department for a specific Modeling and Simulation (M&S) area. The AF is responsible

to the Under Secretary of Defense (USD) for Acquisition Technology and Logistics

(AT&L) for all designated ASNE MSEA responsibilities. The AF is also obligated to


establish a budget to carry out those designated tasks and responsibilities inherent to

being an MSEA.

2.1.1.10.1. IAW AFPD 16-10, Modeling and Simulation, AFPD 15-1, Air Force

Weather Operations, DoD 5000.59, DoD Modeling and Simulation Management and

DoD 5000.59-P, Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Master Plan, the Air Force acts on

behalf of USD (AT&L) to coordinate all aspects of DoD M&S related to the

representations of the ASNE. These areas include management, planning,

programming, coordinating, monitoring, and reporting on all aspects of DoD M&S

within the ASNE domain. Some tasks include the shaping of DoD M&S policy for

ASNE; assessing M&S requirements, environmental capabilities, and resulting gaps;

establishing ASNE-Terrain-Ocean processes with the other designated Environmental

MSEAs (Navy and NGA); promulgating ASNE M&S standards; championing and

leveraging required technology development; collaborating with government,

industry, and academia for operational support as well as research and development;

and developing, testing, validating, and transitioning capabilities relevant to M&S.

For the Air Force to execute the responsibilities described above, it implements the

following organizational structure and roles:

Figure 2.1. Air Force Relationships for DoD ASNE MSEA Functions

2.1.1.10.2. ASNE MSEA: The Director of Weather (AF/A3O-W) has been delegated

by the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) to execute its DoD ASNE MSEA

responsibilities and functions.

2.1.1.10.3. Deputy ASNE MSEA: The Directorate of Weather, Integration, Plans,

and Requirements Division (AF/A3O-WX) oversees fiscal year development plans,

shapes policy, coordinates requirements across the AF, and serves on the AF M&S

Council of Colonels.

2.1.1.10.4. ASNE MSEA Office: The AF established this office as the focal point

for DoD communities with M&S based activities, and government and industry


atmosphere and space-weather resource providers who can provide tools, data, or

services for such activities. AF/A3O-W designated a staff officer to lead and manage

M&S program activities. Additionally, the M&S office has four liaison officers, one

on the Air Staff, one in the M&S Coordination Office, one at Joint Forces Command,

and one in Orlando, Florida.

2.1.1.10.5. ASNE MSEA Budget Office: The AF Modeling and Simulation Policy

Division (SAF/A6WM) manages the program element which funds required

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Research and Development (R&D) of DoD

ASNE MSEA activities.

2.1.1.10.6. ASNE MSEA Champion: AF Warfighter Sytems Integration (SAF/A6W)

serves as the primary ASNE MSEA champion on the DoD M&S Steering Committee,

a DoD Flag-Level governance structure.

2.1.1.11. Participates on the Joint Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Board

with AF/A3O-W acting as Executive Committee member, Deputy AF/A3O-W as

Steering Group member, and Directorate of Weather, Policy and Exploitation Division

(AF/A3O-WP) as Operations Effect Working Group co-Chair and Steering Group co-

Secretariat.

2.1.2. MAJCOM weather staffs. MAJCOM weather staffs will:

2.1.2.1. Provide weather functional area management (FAM) to organize, train, equip,

and sustain weather forces as well as manage AEF deployment taskings for weather

resources within its MAJCOM.

2.1.2.1. (ACC) HQ ACC/A3W will:

2.1.2.1.1. (Added-ACC) Coordinate ACC and Combat Air Forces (CAF) Battlefield

Weather (BW) training requirements and obtain/manage formal training quotas on

behalf of the CAF IAW AFI 15-127, Air Force Weather Training, CFETP AFSC

1W0XX, and other applicable Air Force guidance.

2.1.2.1.2. (Added-ACC) Manage administration of the BW Mission Qualification

Training (MQT) course IAW training requirements identified in AFI 15-127 and

CFETP AFSC 1W0XX until such time that BWMQT becomes an official AF training

course.

2.1.2.1.3. (Added-ACC) Coordinate pre-deployment training requirements (e.g.,

Deployment Weather Systems Training, Evasion, Conduct-After- Capture) training

requirements IAW applicable AF and ACC directives.

2.1.2.1.4. (Added-ACC) Manage ACC training quotas for Air Education and

Training Command supplemental weather courses.

2.1.2.1.5. (Added-ACC) Posture and code ACC weather forces and coordinate

sourcing of AF weather forces with the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC).

Posturing, coding and sourcing of BW forces will be coordinated with BW squadrons

to maximize habitual alignment.


2.1.2.1.6. (Added-ACC) Coordinate sourcing of ACC enlisted weather personnel

assignments for funded permanent change of station (PCS) mission requirements with

HQ ACC Director of Manpower, Personnel and Services.

2.1.2.1.7. (Added-ACC) Coordinate sourcing of ACC officer weather personnel

assignments for O-5 and below for funded PCS mission requirements with the AFPC.

2.1.2.1.8. (Added-ACC) Execute AF policy and weather functional direction for

Expeditionary Combat Support as delegated in support of Global Force Management

policy IAW HQ USAF Program Action Directive (PAD) 07-13, Implementation of

the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Direction to Transform and Consolidate

Headquarters Management Function and AFI 10-403, Deployment Planning and

Execution.

2.1.2.1.9. (Added-ACC) Develop and maintain conventional AF and BW support

unit type codes IAW HQ USAF PAD 06-05, Implementation of the Chief of Staff of

the Air Force Direction for Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) and Air Support

Operations Center (ASOC), and Battlefield Weather (BW) Integration with the

Modular Army.

2.1.2.1.10. (Added-ACC) Perform Global Force Management duties for

conventional AF weather forces IAW AF PAD 07-13 and AFI 10-401, Air Force

Operations Planning and Execution.

2.1.2.1.11. (Added-ACC) Provide weather FAM support to the HQ ACC Crisis

Action Team (CAT) IAW AFI 10-255, Availability of Key HQ AF Personnel and

Major Command Commanders and ACCI 10-208, Continuity of Operations Program.

2.1.2.1.12. (Added-ACC) Establish and update designed operational capability

statements for ACC and ACC-gained Air Reserve Component weather organizations

IAW AFI 10-201, Status of Resources and Training.

2.1.2.1.13. (Added-ACC) Track the readiness of ACC weather organizations IAW

AFI 10-201 and AFI 10-244, Reporting Status of Aerospace Expeditionary Forces.

2.1.2.1.14. (Added-ACC) Coordinate the status, disposition, fielding, testing,

upgrading, and repair of tactical weather equipment allocated to ACC weather

organizations IAW AR 115-10/ AFI 15-157 (IP) and AFI 10-301, Responsibilities of

Air Reserve Component (ARC) Forces.

2.1.2.1.15. (Added-ACC) Coordinate the status, disposition, fielding, testing,

upgrading, and repair of fixed weather equipment at ACC and Army CONUS

installations/ranges IAW AR 115-10/ AFI 15-157 (IP) and the Memorandum of

Agreement among the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and

Department of Transportation for Interagency Operation of the Weather Surveillance

Radar-1988, Doppler (WSR-88D).

2.1.2.1.16. (Added-ACC) Identify, validate, document, and prioritize current and

future requirements for weather systems integration into AF mission planning

systems and conduct capabilities-based planning and weather functional analysis

IAW AR 115-10/ AFI 15-157 (IP) and AFI 15-182, Weather Enterprise Capability

Management.


2.1.2.1.17. (Added-ACC) Ensure ACC-gained weather individual mobilization

augmentees are trained to assume their mobilization tasks and responsibilities and

provided with administrative, logistic, and management support IAW AFI 10-301.

2.1.2.1.18. (Added-ACC) In coordination with ANG Weather, identify new or

changed missions for ACC-gained weather forces.

2.1.2.1.19. (Added-ACC) Manage and oversee the Military Personnel

Appropriation (MPA) man-day program for ACC-gained weather ANG and AFRC

units and personnel IAW AFI 36-2619, Military Personnel Appropriation (MPA)

Man-Day Program, to include:

2.1.2.1.19.1. (Added-ACC) Soliciting unit requests, prioritizing requirements

using HQ Air Force Annual Planning & Programming Guidance and ACC/A3W’s

stratification criteria, and forwarding annual requirement packages to the HQ

ACC Directorate of Operations (ACC/A3) for approval.

2.1.2.1.19.2. (Added-ACC) Advising and coordinating with the HQ ACC

Manpower Readiness Branch (ACC/A1RR) with respect to ACC weather

functional requirements for MPA man-days.

2.1.2.1.19.3. (Added-ACC) Ensuring ACC weather organizations have

programmed and budgeted for anticipated MPA man-days operations and

maintenance costs when projecting annual support to active duty AF mission

support requirements.

2.1.2.1.20. (Added-ACC) Act as the proponent for fielding tactical meteorological

equipment to National Guard Bureau for ANG Battlefield Weather (BW) forces.

2.1.2.2. Engage in planning programming, and budgeting for MAJCOM weather

resources.

2.1.2.2. (ACC) HQ ACC/A3W and OL-G, HQ ACC, Ft Bragg (as applicable) will:

2.1.2.2.1. (Added-ACC) Plan, program, and budget for ACC weather forces and, as

CAF lead, BW programs IAW AF PADs 06-05 and 07-13; AR 115-10/ AFI 15-157

(IP); and AF Policy Directive 10-35, Battlefield Airmen (AFPD 10-35).

2.1.2.2.2. (Added-ACC) Coordinate on AF PADs, programming plans, and AF/

Army statements of requirement (SORs) affecting ACC weather support to AF and

Army missions IAW applicable AF/ACC directives and AR 115-10/AFI 157 (IP).

2.1.2.2.3. (Added-ACC) Identify, validate, and prioritize ACC active component

weather manpower requirements IAW AR 115-10/ AFI 15-157 (IP) and AFI 38-201,

Manpower and Organization.

2.1.2.2.4. (Added-ACC) Identify, validate, and prioritize requirements for new

fixed weather equipment at ACC and Army CONUS installations/ranges IAW AFI

15-128 and AFI 15-182.

2.1.2.3. Implement contracts for required weather support and ensure contract oversight.

2.1.2.4. Manage execution of MAJCOM weather programs.

2.1.2.5. Provide staff weather support to its MAJCOM.


2.1.2.5. (ACC) HQ ACC/A3W will arrange weather support to the HQ ACC command

staff and CAT through the HQ ACC Air Operations Squadron Weather Flight (HQ ACC

AOS/AOW).

2.1.2.6. Provide staff assistance, technical training assistance, and technical consultant

assistance to weather organizations upon request.

2.1.2.6. (ACC) HQ ACC/A3W may approve requests from ACC weather organizations

to conduct or arrange for on-site staff assistance visits (SAVs), submitted through the

operational chain of command, for the following reasons:

2.1.2.6.1. (Added-ACC) A self-assessment conducted IAW AFI 90-201, The Air

Force Inspection System or AFI 15-180, ACC Supplement, Standardization and

Evaluation Program for Weather Operations (SEPWO), identifies critical problem

areas in local weather operations that (1) cannot be corrected through reachback

assistance from HQ ACC/A3W and/or other AF weather organizations, and/or (2)

could impact flight safety.

2.1.2.6.2. (Added-ACC) Significant changes to an ACC weather organization’s

mission as a result of changes to supported weapons system(s).

2.1.2.7. Conduct evaluations on aligned weather organizations IAW AFI 15-180,

Standardization and Evaluation Program for Weather Operations and AFI 13-218, Air

Traffic System Evaluation Program.

2.1.2.7. (ACC) HQ ACC/A3W will augment CAF SEPWO visits to United States Air

Forces Europe (USAFE)/Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) as requested and plan, manage,

coordinate, and conduct SEPWOs to ACC and ACC-gained ANG weather organizations

supporting AF, Army, ANG, and Joint operations worldwide IAW AF PAD 07-13, AFI

15-180, and ACC, USAFE, PACAF supplements to AFI 15-180.

2.1.2.8. Facilitate inter-MAJCOM coordination of changes to subordinate Operational

Weather Squadrons’ (OWS) products or services that may require process changes by

organizations supported by said OWS.

2.1.2.9. Develop and crossfeed MAJCOM-specific technical training materials.

2.1.2.10. Coordinate with weather organizations to implement mission weather product

(MWP) verification metrics program IAW AFI 15-114, Functional Resource and

Weather Technical Performance Evaluation.

2.1.2.11. (Added-ACC) HQ ACC/A3W and OL-G, HQ ACC, Ft Bragg (as applicable)

will:

2.1.2.11.1. (Added-ACC) Develop, coordinate, publish, and implement ACC

weather operations policy and procedures to supplement AF and Army

instructions/manuals and assist ACC weather organizations with the integration of

weather and weather effects information into operations IAW AFI 15-128; AFMAN

15-111, Surface Weather Observations; and AFMAN 15-129, Volumes 1 & 2, Air

and Space Weather Operations - Characterization and Exploitation.

2.1.2.11.2. (Added-ACC) Review, analyze, and recommend changes to new and

revised AF, Army, Joint/DoD, Federal and international weather and weather-related


operations policy, directives, instructions, manuals, supplements, technical

publications, and initiatives.

2.1.2.11.3. (Added-ACC) Develop weather operations concepts of

operation/employment and ensure proper accountability of weather operations and

impacts in AF, ACC, and Joint concepts of operations (CONOPS).

2.1.2.11.4. (Added-ACC) Coordinate with the ACC Director of Intelligence

(ACC/A2) and United States Forces Command Intelligence (FORSCOM/G2) to

integrate weather and weather effects information into intelligence operations.

2.1.2.11.5. (Added-ACC) Develop and implement a standardized approach for

documenting, validating, prioritizing, and staffing SORs for ACC weather

organizations and supported AF and Army organizations IAW AR 115-10/ AFI 15-

157 (IP) and AFI 15-182.

2.1.2.11.6. (Added-ACC) Perform MAJCOM weather functional manager

responsibilities in support of HQ ACC Inspector General (ACC/IG) led Consolidated

Unit Compliance and Readiness Inspections of ACC and ACC-gained Air Reserve

Component weather organizations IAW AFI 90-201.

2.1.2.12. (Added-ACC) OL-G, HQ ACC, Ft Bragg will:

2.1.2.12.1. (Added-ACC) Provide/arrange staff meteorological support to the

FORSCOM commander and staff IAW AR 115-10/ AFI 15-157 (IP) and AFI 15-128.

2.1.2.12.2. (Added-ACC) Review ACC BW organization Army Table of

Organization and Equipment (TOE) requirements and Modified Table of

Organization and Equipment (MTOE) authorizations IAW AFI 15-182.

2.1.2.12.3. (Added-ACC) Identify, validate, document, and prioritize current and

future requirements for weather systems integration into Army command and control

(C2) and mission planning systems and conduct capabilities-based planning and

weather functional analysis IAW AR 115-10/ AFI 15-157 (IP) and AFI 15-182.

2.1.2.12.4. (Added-ACC) Oversee BW training/operations conducted at the

National Training Center (NTC), Ft Irwin and Joint Readiness Training Center

(JRTC), Ft Polk IAW FORSCOM Regulation 350-50-1 Appendix D, Weather

Support, National Training Center; FORSCOM Regulation 350-50-2 Appendix W,

Weather Support, Joint Readiness Training Center; and AFI 10-251, ACC

Supplement, Air Force Participation in Joint Training Transformation Initiative

(JTTI) and Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) Events.

2.1.2.12.5. (Added-ACC) Prepare weather annexes/appendices for FORSCOM

directives and exercise orders.

2.1.2.13. (Added-ACC) OL-V, HQ ACC, Camp Blanding, FL will:

2.1.2.13.1. (Added-ACC) Function as the AF liaison for coordinating BW MQT

course activities.

2.1.2.13.2. (Added-ACC) Provide or arrange administrative and logistical support

for BW MQT students.


2.1.2.13.3. (Added-ACC) Direct and provide instruction for BW MQT

meteorological lab.

2.1.3. (Added-ACC) The HQ 93d Air Ground Operations Wing (93 AGOW) weather staff

will:

2.1.3.1. (Added-ACC) Provide or arrange staff meteorological support to the HQ 93

AGOW commander and staff members.

2.1.3.2. (Added-ACC) Publish instructions and supplements to provide additional

weather guidance to subordinate HQ 93 AGOW weather organizations.

2.1.3.3. (Added-ACC) Assist HQ ACC/A3W and the HQ 93 AGOW commander with

planning, programming, and budgeting for BW programs and ACC BW forces.

2.1.3.4. (Added-ACC) Coordinate on programming plans and Army SORs affecting

ACC weather support to Army missions.

2.2. Operational Organization. AFW is organized to provide a seamless transition from

garrison/home-base operations to wartime/contingency operations. Organizations operate on

global, regional and local scales.

2.2.1. AFWA. This FOA provides a wide array of products used by weather personnel in

the field to identify environmental threats in the battlespace. Produces training products and

technical services to ensure the latest techniques, skills and resources are translated into

operational excellence and decision superiority in the field. Refer to Air Force Mission

Directive 52 (AFMD 52), Air Force Weather Agency, and Chapter 3 of this publication for a

complete overview of AFWA roles and responsibilities.

2.2.2. Component Numbered Air Force (C-NAF). Operations-focused staff supporting a

Unified Combatant Command, or subordinate unified command, when appropriate. The C-

NAF weather staff has oversight of operational requirements in their AOR to include

identification of manpower needs during contingency, sourcing, and equipment logistics to

meet the needs of assigned resources. The C-NAF must identify/coordinate these needs to

the MAJCOM weather functional for action. In the event that the C-NAF has no weather

personnel assigned, the parent MAJCOM will assume these roles and responsibilities.

2.2.3. Weather Squadron (WS). OWSs characterize; Battlefield Weather Squadrons (BWS;

e.g., 3WS, 18WS), special operations weather squadrons (i.e., 10 CWS), spacelift support

weather squadrons (e.g., 45 WS), etc., tailor and integrate air and space environmental

weather information in support of regional, theater and/or functional areas of responsibility

as detailed in Chapter 4.

2.2.4. Weather Specialty Team (WST). Exploit air and space environmental information in

support of specialized, Joint, and Air and Space Operations Centers (AOC) as detailed in

Chapter 5.

2.2.5. Weather Flight (WF). WF as used throughout this publication describes weather

organizations aligned beneath their respective squadrons (OSS, BWS, etc.) and include

detachments, operating locations, Operations Support Squadron WFs, etc. WFs evaluate

environmental threats to missions and provide exploitation alternatives to key decision

makers throughout the planning and execution phases of operations. WFs support the full-


spectrum of operations at AF/Army installations, aircraft and missile test ranges, space

launch facilities and field locations as detailed in Chapter 6.

2.2.6. Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) weather

resources will primarily support AF and Army active and reserve component wartime

deployment/employment requirements. Selected ANG or AFRC resources will support

rotational (i.e., Air and Space Expeditionary Force) taskings on a volunteer basis and

sustainment missions as active duty or mobilization requirements dictate. All deployable

ANG and AFRC personnel will be trained and equipped to the same level as their active duty

counterparts. To the maximum extent possible, Air Reserve Component personnel will train

with and support their wartime organizations.

2.2.6.1. ANG and AFRC personnel will provide direct support to their assigned/aligned

missions IAW the roles and responsibilities set forth in Chapter 6 of this instruction when

activated for training or contingency.

2.2.6.2. Use of the term “parent/host organization” in this publication may not apply to

those ANG weather organizations who are tenants on an installation but support a unit(s)

not part of that installation. In these situations, ANG weather organizations will

substitute “habitually aligned organization” to refer to that organization they directly

support but may not be physically collocated with.

2.2.7. (Added-ACC) OL-A, 18 WS, Shaw AFB, SC and OL-A, 3 WS, Ft Sam Houston,

TX, as the ASCC SWOs to USARCENT and USARSOUTH/ USARNORTH respectively,

will:

2.2.7.1. (Added-ACC) Provide theater-specific operational-level advice, subject matter

expertise, staff support, and coordination to the ASCC commander.

2.2.7.2. (Added-ACC) In coordination with the combatant commander’s (CCDR's)

staff, including the senior meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) officer (SMO),

the joint force commander’s (JFC's) staff, including the joint METOC officer (JMO),

other Service component SWOs, and the HQ ACC/A3W staff:

2.2.7.2.1. (Added-ACC) Provide weather inputs to applicable war, exercise, and

contingency plans.

2.2.7.2.2. (Added-ACC) Identify, document, prioritize, and validate AF weather

capabilities required to support joint/combined operations.

2.2.7.2.3. (Added-ACC) Monitor and assess the execution of AF weather operations

supporting the CCDR and/or JFC.

2.2.7.2.4. (Added-ACC) Develop theater employment and sustainment concepts for

AF weather capabilities.

2.2.7.2.5. (Added-ACC) Coordinate Army Forces (ARFOR) weather support

requirements with the theater SMO and/or JMO.


Chapter 3

AIR FORCE WEATHER AGENCY

3.1. AFWA. In support of the roles and responsibilities listed in AFMD 52, Air Force Weather

Agency (AFWA), AFWA plans and produces a wide range of terrestrial and space weather

products. AFWA provides dedicated climatology, global weather, and space environment

forecast support to both Intelligence Community and weather operators whether in garrison or

deployed. AFWA will:

3.1.1. Provide support for Joint Operations as tasked by supported agencies.

3.1.2. Collect, analyze, process, and format weather data and products for further

distribution and access. Develop, acquire, evaluate, maintain, operate, and provide output of

regional-scale numerical weather prediction (NWP) meteorological models, gridded

databases, and visualizations to weather organizations and other agencies. Provide

specialized weather products and services upon submission of a support assistance request.

3.1.3. Use in-house, U.S. government agency, university, and domestic and international

scientific community innovations for global weather model output, space weather data,

weather equipment, forecasting techniques, and mesoscale weather prediction models.

Incorporate these new data sources, techniques, tools, and equipment into its operation to

improve its global-scale forecasting capability.

3.1.4. Manage air and space science and technology exploitation activities to enhance

weather capabilities and operations. Upon MAJCOM request and as resources permit,

provide direct assistance to Air Force weather organizations through on-site meteorological

process reviews and needs assessments.

3.1.5. Provide a centralized computing resource for high-resolution global and regional-scale

NWP/specialized modeling and automated graphics production for each OWS.

3.1.5.1. Provide and maintain a web portal for classified and unclassified access to a

complete, worldwide weather product suite.

3.1.5.2. Maintain a web portal in the public domain containing selected products.

3.1.5.3. Assist in processing foreign national requests for access to Air Force weather

systems IAW AFI 33-200, Information Assurance (IA) Management and local directives.

3.1.5.4. Coordinate foreign national requests for weather data, satellite imagery,

technical information, and software tools through the appropriate Foreign Disclosure

Officer (FDO) and Scientific and Technical Information Officer (STINFO).

3.1.5.5. Submit AF Form 525, Records Disposition Recommendation, through the proper

channels and in accordance with AFI 33-364, Records Disposition: Procedures and

Responsibilities, when changes, additions, or deletions to the tables and rules of the AF

Records Disposition Schedule are required.”Submit AF Form 1341, Electronic Record

Inventory, through the proper channels and in accordance with AFMAN 33-363,

Management of Records, when records are stored in electronic record-keeping systems

such as data in IT systems.


3.1.6. Chair a working group to manage and maintain the Air Force Weather Portal. This

working group will consist of webmasters and stakeholders from across the Air Force Weather

enterprise.

3.1.7. Provide a 24-hour per day, 7-days per week customer service center to act as the

single point of contact for weather organizations requiring technical assistance and

equipment outage coordination support.

3.1.8. Ensure appropriate subordinate weather organizations develop, coordinate, formally

document and exercise not less than annually a Continuity of Operations program IAW AFI

10-208, Continuity of Operations (COOP) Program to continue providing mission-essential

functions during a national security emergency or other disruptive condition such as major

equipment or communications outage or evacuation.

3.1.9. Collect and maintain an “all source” central repository of weapons system

environmental impacts and sensitivities for US Department of Defense, coalition partners,

and potential adversaries’ weapons systems. This repository may exist at all levels of

classification depending on the source. At a minimum, collect weapon system sensitivities

from AFWA Det 3, 46th Weather Squadron (46 WS), and 412 OSS WF.

3.1.10. Provide web-based capability, which leverages numerical model data, for weather

organizations to generate chemical downwind messages (CDM) and effective downwind

messages (EDM), for Air Force installation CBRN Control Center Emergency Managers and

Army installation-level Directors of Emergency Services IAW AFI 10-2501, Air Force

Emergency Management (EM) Program Planning and Operations, AFMAN 10-2503,

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Operations

and equivalent joint guidance.

3.1.11. Provide weather data (observations, forecasts, and gridded forecast meteorological

data files) to appropriate agencies running DoD-approved Chemical, Biological,

Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) dispersion models for CBRN consequence assessment,

consequence management, and contamination avoidance IAW AFI 10-2501, AFMAN 10-

2503, and equivalent joint guidance.

3.1.12. Install, manage and support weather systems at the 335th Training Squadron at

Keesler AFB, MS.

3.1.13. Assist AF/A3O-W Career Field Manager (CFM) in managing AFW career field

training requirements process and development of policy/guidance to meet those

requirements.

3.1.14. Provide direct support to AF/A3O-W CFM in managing the AFW Utilization and

Training Workshops (U&TW).

3.1.15. Manage weather training programs and develop training solutions to address

operational and non-formal training requirements.

3.1.16. Serve as the focal point to manage and define strategies for Advanced Distributive

Learning (ADL) programs and systems for AFW.

3.1.17. Maintain oversight of AFW training resources and ensure cross-feed of training

material.


3.1.18. Provide direct assistance, as requested, to AFW OWSs through on-site

meteorological process reviews and needs assessments.

3.1.19. Serve as the focal point for managing the Air Force Weather Technology Integration

(AFWTI) Consortium.

3.1.20. Develop weather-unique training material and standards evaluation of field units.

3.1.21. Assist in managing the Utilization and Training Workshop (U&TW) process and

developing training resources.

3.1.22. Write, publish, and distribute meteorological technique applications and technology

exploitation publications. Until superseded, AFWA TN-98/002, Meteorological Techniques,

is the definitive source for Air Force approved meteorological techniques.

3.1.23. Manage the COMET program as a source to develop technical training materials.

3.1.24. Develop, maintain, and operate the main web sites for Air Force Training Records

(AFTR), Advanced Distributed Learning Service (ADLS), and Air Force Weather

Knowledge Center (AFWKC) for weather training and field support information and

services.

3.1.25. Under direction of the weather CFM, manage Air Force Job Qualification Standard

(AFJQS) 1W0XX and QTPs identified in the 1W0XX CFETP. Note: Local or MAJCOM-

unique items may be added to the AFJQS or QTPs as appropriate. Mandatory items cannot

be deleted or modified without weather CFM approval.

3.1.26. Identify specific technical and professional development training material for hosting

on Air Force distance learning systems. Management of training material will be conducted

IAW separate Memorandums of Understanding or letters of agreement with respective Air

Force agencies responsible for distance learning.

3.1.27. Collaborate on training and policy issues arising from the development and fielding

of emerging systems/capabilities, and identify/collect new and existing MAJCOM-identified

weather training requirements. Through a requirements process, AFWA/A3T will develop

the specific training needed to support and/or exploit fielded systems, new equipment, and

new software platforms, as necessary.

3.2. 1st Weather Group (1 WXG). 1 WXG will direct activities of the 15th, 25th and 26th

OWSs.

3.2.1. 15 OWS will provide backup capability for the National Weather Service's Storm

Prediction Center and Aviation Weather Center IAW established support agreements.

3.2.2. Further roles and responsibilities of OWSs can be found in Chapter 4 of this

publication.

3.3. 2d Weather Group (2 WXG). 2 WXG will direct the activities of its subordinate

squadrons, detachments and other organizations and will ensure their active participation in the

weather web enterprise working group as appropriate.

3.3.1. 2d Systems Operations Squadron (2 SYOS). Will direct the delivery of reliable and

timely global environmental intelligence products and services for DoD and its global


interests through the continuous operation, sustainment and maintenance of AFW’s computer

complex, production network, and applications. In addition, 2 SYOS will:

3.3.1.1. Provide AFW Senior Leaders situational awareness on continuous operations

impacting Joint Staff, Unified Commands, Intelligence Community, Special Operations

Forces, Numbered Air Forces, regional weather centers, and national/international

agencies.

3.3.1.2. Operate a 2 WXG software/product change management process to oversee

handling of operational needs, project management, software testing, and configuration

management.

3.3.1.3. Serve as the AFWA single point of operations and control for all production-

related communications and information equipment and dataflow into, from, and internal

to AFWA, 24 hours per day/7 days per week.

3.3.1.4. Provide 24-hour per day/7-day per week technical systems support for AFW

fielded hardware and software systems worldwide.

3.3.1.5. Provide 24-hour per day/7-day per week command and control (C2) functions

for the AFWA Commander.

3.3.1.6. Ensure operational viability of software for collection, processing, and

dissemination of terrestrial and space weather information during peace/wartime.

3.3.1.7. Operate and maintain software that ingests, processes, and validates weather data

and deliver products and data to users, perform net-centric data management and routing

functions.

3.3.1.8. Maintain KQ identifier lists, provide KQ identifiers, and recall KQ identifiers in

support of field users.

3.3.2. 2d Combat Weather Systems Squadron (2 CWSS). 2 CWSS will not only provide

AF Combat Weather Forces maintenance and logistical support for deployable weather

equipment within any theater, but will also train weather warriors and direct test and

evaluation activities on new fixed and deployable weather and communications equipment,

technologies, and capabilities In addition, 2 CWSS will:

3.3.2.1. Support AEF operations as the force provider for the Weather Systems Support

Cadre (WSSC) mission and assist with deployable weather system maintenance

troubleshooting and repair that is beyond the scope of the local operator.

3.3.2.2. Develop weather techniques and procedures for AFW fixed and deployable

weather and communications systems.

3.3.2.3. Develop, maintain and conduct, in coordination with AFWA/A3T, a Just-In-

Time-Training (JITT) capability for all AFWA deployable weather and communications

systems supporting deployed operations. AFWA/A3T will coordinate between

MAJCOMs and 2 CWSS for JITT course requirements.

3.3.2.4. Develop, with AFWA/A3T as the primary, training and certification standards

for all weather systems both fixed and deployable.


3.3.2.5. Provide Initial Skills Course follow-on-training for ANG weather personnel at

the Weather Readiness Training Center.

3.3.2.6. When deployed, provide 24-hour, on-call central point of contact for weather

system maintenance and system administration support at the deployed location.

3.3.2.7. Identify and report system outage trends to AFWA/A3.

3.3.3. 2d Weather Squadron (2 WS). 2 WS will continuously support Joint warfighters,

DoD decision-makers, the intelligence community, space operators and aviators, with

accurate, relevant, timely and specialized global, terrestrial, volcanic and space observations,

analyses, forecasts and alerts. In addition, 2 WS will:

3.3.3.1. Operate, maintain and manage the Solar Electro-Optical Network, which

includes the oversight and management of Detachment 1 (Learmonth, Australia),

Detachment 2 (Sagamore Hill, Massachusetts), Detachment 4 (Holloman AFB NM), and

Detachment 5 (Hawaii).

3.3.3.2. Serve as the DoD focal point for surveillance, analyses and forecasts of volcanic

ash hazards.

3.3.3.3. Advise AFW organizations of potential volcano related incidents.

3.3.3.4. Provide backup capability to Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) and

Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (W-VAAC) IAW with documented support

agreements. Will also provide liaison services to SWPC, along with Operating Location

P (OL-P).

3.3.3.5. Produce the official forecast for AFW organizations in the event the regional

VAAC’s products are unavailable. In the event the regional VAAC’s forecast is

significantly different from AFWA’s, 2 WS will take action via pre-established National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lines of communication to help

coordinate refinement of the responsible regional VAAC’s forecast.

3.3.3.6. Tailor terrestrial and space data to meet documented requirements of regional

commanders, planners, or operators.

3.3.3.7. Provide worldwide broadcast-quality public weather services and planning

forecasts to the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) for overseas

DoD and Department of State personnel and dependents. In addition, provide

unclassified weather forecasts to Stars and Stripes newspaper.

3.3.4. 14th Weather Squadron (14 WS). 14 WS will develop and disseminate customized

applied climatological and historical weather information to maximize combat effectiveness

of DoD personnel and weapon systems, through receipt, quality control, storage, and

tailoring of earth environmental data. In addition, 14 WS will:

3.3.4.1. Provide scientific, modeling, technique development and operational

climatology services, to include climatologically based worldwide weather intelligence

and mission-tailored decision aids, in support of DoD full-spectrum operations, mission

profiles, and weapon systems based on critical environmental threshold criteria.

3.3.4.2. Provide forensic support to the IC through the use of the Point Analysis

Intelligence System (PAIS).


3.3.4.3. Operate and manage the Air Force Weather Technical Library.

3.3.4.4. Coordinate production and provide data and analysis to support weather scenario

development and simulations to support operational training and exercises.

3.3.5. 16th Weather Squadron (16 WS) including Detachment 3, Wright Patterson AFB

OH. 16 WS will provide scientific services to improve AFW support to the warfighter and

the intelligence community. In addition, 16 WS will:

3.3.5.1. Develop weather visualization concepts and prototypes to meet customer needs.

3.3.5.2. Develop and monitor fine-scale and specialized (clouds, land surface, aerosols,

etc) modeling capabilities to meet warfighter and intelligence community needs.

3.3.5.3. Make user-selected CDM/EDM generation available to AFW organizations and

other AF organizations for CBRN operational use. Parameters selectable by user will

include generation using any model employed by OWS forecasters to produce installation

terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs) [e.g., WRF, GFS, MM5, UKMO/ECMWF

(Europe), NOGAPS, COAMPS, JMA (Japan), KMA (Korea)].

3.3.5.4. Perform or support research and development, acquisition, testing and

sustainment of AF weapon systems and capabilities to include identifying and

documenting environmental sensitivities.

3.3.5.5. Interface with the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) for

access to adversary weapon systems, capabilities, and environmental sensitivities.

3.3.5.6. Provide operational M&S support for training, acquisition and testing as

required by DoD and act as AFW’s subject matter expert for M&S operational support.


Chapter 4

WEATHER SQUADRONS

4.1. Operational Weather Squadrons. OWSs are the authoritative source for environmental

characterization in their respective AORs as identified in AFVA 15-136, Air Force Operational

Weather Squadron Areas of Responsibility - CONUS and AFVA 15-137, Air Force Operational

Weather Squadron Areas of Responsibility. OWSs are responsible for collection of atmospheric

data/information, analysis and prediction of the atmosphere, and generation of products based on

this analysis and prediction for use by WFs and other agencies. OWSs are also responsible for

the upgrade and on-the-job training of weather apprentices and new officer accessions. Note: It

is to be assumed that the roles and responsibilities of an OWS described below apply to its AOR.

OWSs will:

4.1.1. Coordinate, maintain, annually review and electronically host installation data pages

defining specific environmental support requirements, technical data, reference material, and

contact information for each organization receiving TAF and WWA support from the OWS.

This installation data page will take the place of the OWS-WF MOA. Where multiple WFs

exist on one installation, separate data pages will be hosted.

4.1.2. Perform meteorological watch (METWATCH) for supported installations.

4.1.3. Produce, disseminate, and amend TAFs to support military operations.

Specification/amendment (SPEC/AMD) criteria will be driven by supported mission and/or

installation specific thresholds and will be applied to the entire TAF period. These criteria,

for each installation, will be coordinated between the OWS and the responsible WF using the

electronic data page on that installation’s tailored web-page. If there is no WF responsible

to support an organization, the supporting OWS will liaise directly with the supported

organization to determine SPEC/AMD criteria.

4.1.4. Produce forecast reviews based on objective criteria IAW AFMAN 15-129, Air and

Space Weather Operations – Processes and Procedures, and make the products available for

use external to the OWS.

4.1.5. Produce, disseminate, and amend forecast weather watches, warnings, and advisories

(WWA) for locations with documented WWA requirements. OWSs will also issue special

weather statements (SWS) to keep supported organizations apprised of possible future

atmospheric conditions that are under evaluation and could pose a serious threat to the

warfighter’s capability to operate.

4.1.5.1. Produce and disseminate observed weather warnings and observed weather

advisories as required and coordinated for WFs if sensing capability exists.

4.1.5.2. Disseminate SWS to WF personnel for evaluation and possible further

dissemination/integration into the parent/host unit’s risk management decision cycle.

4.1.5.3. For those installations/organizations without a supporting WF, the OWS may

disseminate the SWS directly to installation/organizational leadership.


4.1.6. Provide summaries of current OWS-issued SWS and WWA via Non-Classified

Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet) and SECRET Internet Protocol Router Network

(SIPRNet) homepages.

4.1.7. Document specific actions or plans executed to focus support when severe weather is

expected or occurring in their AOR (e.g., SOPs describing reallocation of OWS resources

from other tasks to focused support to a specific region in their AOR).

4.1.8. Ensure all OWS weather products and visualizations are horizontally consistent.

4.1.9. Coordinate forecast areas along the borders of standardized OWS-produced regional

visualizations to facilitate meshing of regions into large-scale visualizations resulting in an

integrated picture of weather features.

4.1.9.1. Ensure graphics products that overlap an adjacent OWS's AOR either depict

features from the adjacent AOR as forecasted by the adjacent OWS or gray out areas

outside their assigned AOR on graphic products.

4.1.10. Where applicable, OWSs may use/post other US Government agency or host nation

products within their designated AOR, provided they are not used in lieu of OWS

created/mandated products.

4.1.11. Produce and disseminate automated Air Refueling Route Forecasts and Military

Operating Area Forecasts for further use by WFs and WSTs.

4.1.12. Produce FITL (first 48 hours)/automated hybrid five-day site forecasts for all TAF

sites and other point locations documented with supported agencies. The first 24 hours of the

five day forecast will match the TAF for that location and will be amendable to maintain

horizontal consistency with the TAF. The last three to five days will be automated. Note:

Sites or point locations which have no WF, but for which the OWS has resource protection

responsibility, may have an automated five-day if no requirement for FITL/hybrid 5-day is

stated by the supported agency.

4.1.13. Respond to Special Assistance Requests (SARs) to provide meteorological data and

produce meteorological products for non-routine missions and areas.

4.1.13.1. Upon request from installations without a supporting WF, OWS’s will serve as

weather SME to the installation Civil Engineering Squadron Readiness Flight (CEXR),

Fire Emergency Services (CEF), and Medical Group’s Bioenvironmental Engineering

Flight. Information will be provided to help optimize weather data input to CDMs,

EDMs, and CBRN hazard-prediction models used by the above emergency support

functions (ESF). This information will help enhance decision making capability within

the installation EOC, CBRN Control Center, and at the incident site.

4.1.13.2. Provide the most accurate and representative observed and/or forecast

alphanumeric and gridded meteorological data-type, appropriate to a particular CBRN

event, to users employing ALOHA, CAMEO, and CBRN hazard-prediction (i.e.,

“plume”) models resident in the Joint Warning and Reporting Network (JWARN)/Joint

Effects Model (JEM)/Joint Operational Effects Federation (JOEF) architecture, IAW AFI

10-2501, AFMAN 10-2503 and equivalent Joint guidance, to ensure consistency between

CBRN hazard area predictions and the installation forecast.


4.1.14. Provide gridded data fields from post-processed model data output to WFs and other

agencies when requested.

4.1.15. Where applicable (i.e., when equipment is operated in an OWS’s AOR), participate

as the AF voting member on the Unit Radar Committee for Weather Surveillance Radar-

1988 Doppler, IAW FMH 11, Doppler Radar Meteorological Observations. OWSs may

request the local WF to represent the OWS at the Unit Radar Committee.

4.1.16. Provide weather support and weather products to theater, joint task force, and

component commanders as required. Function as the Joint METOC Coordination

Organization (JMCO) IAW Joint Publication 3-59 when designated by the Senior METOC

Officer (SMO) or Joint Meteorological Officer (JMO).

4.1.17. If formally coordinated, provide meteorological inputs to specific tactical decision

aids for ANG and AFRC units not supported by a collocated WF.

4.1.18. Provide flight weather briefings to military aircrews operating within their AOR

without home base support (including transient aircrews, ANG, AFRC, and sister services),

or when the flying unit's weather organization has arranged the support from the OWS.

4.1.19. The OWS supporting an Army support WF will provide flight weather briefing

support to those VFR flights conducted outside normal squadron/battalion operations when

airfield is closed and/or weather personnel are unavailable.

4.1.20. Acquire pilot reports (PIREPS) and significant meteorological information

(SIGMETS) and apply them to analysis and METWATCH. Where capability exists and no

US Government agency already generates, OWSs will produce automated near-real-time

graphics of PIREPS and SIGMETS to facilitate and enhance mission-scale meteorological

watch (MISSIONWATCH) capability.

4.1.21. Coordinate foreign national requests for weather data, satellite imagery, technical

information (e.g., techniques, algorithms), software tools and/or access to AF systems

through appropriate Foreign Disclosure Officer (FDO) and/or Scientific and Technical

Information Officer (STINFO).

4.1.22. Collect and provide metrics data and reports IAW AFI 15-114.

4.1.23. Develop, coordinate, formally document and exercise not less than annually a COOP

to continue providing mission-essential services during significant outages and evacuation of

the OWS facilities. At a minimum, the COOP will include:

4.1.23.1. Tier 1 products and services supporting wartime, contingency and/or force

protection missions that must be backed up via immediate transfer to backup

organization, including: Combined/Joint Operations Area Forecast (C/JOAF); forecast

weather watches, warnings and advisories, and space warnings; flight weather briefings;

military operating area forecasts (MOAF); Controlling Mission Weather Products

(CMWP); flight weather hazards in the combatant command AOR; TAFs; CBRN hazard

products (CDMs/EDMs); classified products and services.

4.1.23.2. Tier 2 products and services supporting peacetime and/or exercise missions that

will be backed up to the greatest extent possible after satisfying Tier 1 requirements

including CONUS JOAFs, flight weather briefings, MOAFs, CMWPs, flight weather

hazards, TAFs and other products and services.


4.1.23.3. Tier 3 products and services supporting peacetime mission planning that will be

backed up as resources permit after satisfying Tier 1 and Tier 2 requirements, including

long range forecasts, space weather, climatology, staff support and other products and

services.

4.1.24. Provide METSAT imagery and data in appropriate formats for WFs within its AOR.

4.1.25. Create and maintain a METSAT imagery reference file (MIRF) and a radar imagery

reference file (RIRF) containing location and region specific imagery as well as general

synoptic scale imagery.

4.1.26. Develop processes, procedures and training to support execution of wartime,

contingency and/or exercise operations within its AOR per existing OPLANS/CONPLANS.

At a minimum, OWSs will be prepared to collaborate with deployed weather organizations to

create and issue C/JOAFs in agreed upon graphical and/or textual formats.

4.1.27. Develop and maintain forecast reference material (FRM) on each location for which

the OWS produces TAF-coded forecast products and/or WWAs within its AOR. Each

locations reference material will be available electronically.

4.1.27.1. For established sites (i.e. those that have been in operation for over one year)

for which observational data is available, this material should include items listed in

Table 4.1. For newly established sites (less than one year), information will be gathered

and a new FRM built within one year of initiating a TAF and/or WWA support. Note:

Asterisked items may take more than one year to collect and validate.

Table 4.1. Established Sites.

Site location (i.e., latitude, longitude, elevation)

Runway headings (if applicable)

Type and location of meteorological sensors and identified limitations (e.g., sensor blockage) if

available

*Site climatology, if available

Local area topography (e.g., topographic map, relief chart, navigation chart) focusing on local

effects on weather due to terrain, moisture sources and atmospheric pollution sources

*Local weather patterns

*Forecast techniques

*Formal studies

*Forecast rules of thumb (including those under development).

MIRF and RIRF data if available

4.1.27.2. OWS leadership will ensure this material is integrated into qualification

training and day-to-day forecast processes (e.g., worksheets, decision aids).

4.1.27.3. OWSs will forward significantly updated, validated forecasting techniques to

14 WS for inclusion in the Air Force Weather Technical Library to ensure the most

current reference materials are on file and the latest techniques are incorporated into

AFWA TN-98/002.


4.1.28. Support U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine missions on Joint Bases where the AF has the

lead for base operations and sustainment support, provided those missions do not require

specialized support and are akin to support normally given to AF and Army units. This

support will not drive additional manpower or other costs to the AF without an inter-service

agreement coordinated at HQ USAF/A3O-W.

4.1.29. Produce a Tropical Cyclone Threat Analysis Product (TCTAP) that predicts hourly

sustained wind and gust forecasts for OWS TAF and WWA locations projected to receive

sustained winds greater than or equal to 35 knots due to a tropical cyclone within the next 96

hours.

4.1.30. Be active participants in the weather web enterprise working group. OWSs will

develop squadron-unique content within the weather web enterprise baseline, and cross-feed

these capabilities for the benefit of the weather web portal as a whole. They will also submit

requirements to the working group for new capabilities to be developed, as appropriate.

4.2. Expeditionary Weather Squadrons (EWXS). For steady state long-term contingency

operations, a theater commander may stand up an EWXS. The EWXS is organized to

consolidate weather personnel (and augmentation forces) supporting either AF or Army missions

into a coherent AF chain of command. These personnel are expected to have the training and

expertise necessary (prior to arriving in theater) to support combat operations with minimal in-

theater “spin up” training.

4.3. Weather Squadrons supporting Space Launch, Missile, and Test Operations. These

squadrons will take/provide weather observations, forecasts, watches, observed weather

warnings/advisories, weather information for launch sites, specified ranges, abort landing sites,

prepare and disseminate MWPs, and provide staff support (as required) for DoD and civilian

space and ballistic missile launch and aircraft operations.

4.4. Weather Squadrons Supporting Army Operations. These squadrons, (to include

EWXSs where applicable) will:

4.4.1. Provide operational and Staff Weather Officer (SWO) support to designated Army

Service Component Command, supported land force commander(s) and aligned units, both in

garrison and in tactical environments. Supported/supporting relationships are defined in AR

115-10/AFI 15-157 (IP), Weather Support for the US Army.

4.4.2. If required, take observations, prepare and disseminate MWPs, provide resource

protection through observed weather advisories and warnings.

4.4.3. If required and equipped by parent/host unit, provide pilot-to-Metro Service (PMSV)

support and prepare and disseminate PIREPS IAW AFMAN 15-124.

4.4.4. Review weather support documents, MOAs, and other service support agreements

established by subordinate WFs.

4.4.5. Task organize, facilitate standards and training, and work with parent chain of

command (e.g., air ground operations wing, C-NAF, etc.) to posture forces and equipment

for subordinate WFs to satisfy deployed and home station Army weather support

requirements.


4.4.5.1. Train for and maintain worldwide deployment readiness to integrate weather into

IPB, MDMP, C4ISR systems, and the COP in support of the Army’s full-spectrum

operations.

4.4.6. The 10th Combat Weather Squadron (10 CWS) provides support to United States

Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) forces as described throughout section 4.4.

of this instruction. In addition, Special Operations Weather Team (SOWT) personnel

provide additional support including, but not limited to, Environmental Special

Reconnaissance (ESR), Terrain Reports (TERREPS), Avalanche Assessments and Riverine

Assessments as outlined in AFI 15-135 Volume 3, Special Operations Weather Team

Operations.

4.4.7. (Added-ACC) ACC BW Squadrons (BWS) will be task organized to maximize the

efficient performance of the following training and contingency plans and readiness

responsibilities.

4.4.7.1. (Added-ACC) BWS training responsibilities include performing the following

duties to oversee and manage squadron headquarters training programs applicable to

military and civilian weather staff, operations, and maintenance personnel. As

appropriate, they will also monitor and assist subordinate weather organizations with

overall management of their respective training programs.

4.4.7.1.1. (Added-ACC) Perform Unit Training Manager (UTM) duties for their

respective unit On-the-Job-Training (OJT) program IAW AFI 36-2201, Air Force

Training Program.

4.4.7.1.2. (Added-ACC) Manage completion and documentation of basic

qualification, combat mission readiness, and continuation weather training

requirements for assigned personnel IAW AFI 15-127.

4.4.7.1.3. (Added-ACC) Perform UTM duties for completion and documentation of

unit Ancillary requirements for assigned personnel IAW AFI 36-2201.

4.4.7.1.4. (Added-ACC) As required, develop, maintain, and distribute lesson plans

to support completion of unit training requirements.

4.4.7.1.5. (Added-ACC) Monitor and coordinate individual requirements for formal

training courses with HQ ACC/A3W.

4.4.7.1.6. (Added-ACC) Monitor and coordinate individual requirements for

weapons qualification and Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear, and Explosive

training with the appropriate host Army installation.

4.4.7.1.7. (Added-ACC) Monitor and coordinate timely, accurate completion and

documentation of Air Force civilian weather maintenance technician training

requirements.

4.4.7.1.8. (Added-ACC) As applicable, perform Personnel Parachute Program

Management duties for completion and documentation of personnel

parachute/airborne training IAW AFI 11-410, Personnel Parachute Operations.


4.4.7.1.9. (Added-ACC) Assist with creation of training materials and

administration of weather training and certification for Army air traffic control

personnel.

4.4.7.1.10. (Added-ACC) Assist ACC Communications Support Squadron

(ACC/CSS) weather maintenance support technicians with management,

administration, and documentation of OJT and formal qualification training, to

include developing a master training plan and utilizing Training Business Area

training records, for assigned Air Force civilian maintenance technicians IAW the HQ

ACC/A3W and the HQ ACC Communications Warfighter Capabilities and

Integration Division (HQ ACC/A6C) memorandum of agreement (MOA) for

management and oversight of weather maintenance services.

4.4.7.1.11. (Added-ACC) Advise BWS personnel on optimal weather operations

tactics, techniques, and procedures and equipment for tailoring and integrating

weather and weather effects information into supported units’ mission planning and

execution processes.

4.4.7.1.12. (Added-ACC) Assist the Army with training personnel to collect

forward area weather information and transmit the data to supporting BW

organizations [Forward Area Limited Observing Program (FALOP)] IAW Army

Field Manual 34-81,Weather Support for Army Tactical Operations.

4.4.7.2. (Added-ACC) BWS contingency plans and readiness responsibilities include

performing the following duties to assess, monitor, maintain, and report the readiness of

squadron headquarters personnel and equipment for deployed operations. As appropriate,

they will assist subordinate weather organizations with overall management of their

respective readiness programs.

4.4.7.2.1. (Added-ACC) Develop, coordinate, and provide weather inputs/annexes

to war, exercise, contingency, and installation plans for each level of supported Army

unit operations.

4.4.7.2.2. (Added-ACC) Manage unit commander assessments of and reports on the

status of unit resources and training IAW AFI 10-201 and other applicable AF

guidance.

4.4.7.2.3. (Added-ACC) Manage unit commander assessments, monitoring, and

reporting of unit deployment readiness data through the Air and Space Expeditionary

Force (AEF) Unit Type Code (UTC) Reporting Tool (ART) IAW AFI 10-244.

4.4.7.2.4. (Added-ACC) Ensure weather personnel and equipment designated to fill

UTCs postured in the UTC Availability (UTA) for supporting AF and Army missions

comply with the training, deployment, redeployment, readiness and preparation

requirements specified in AFMAN 23-110, USAF Supply Manual; AFI 10-401; AFI

10-403; and applicable host Army installation and supported unit training and

deployment requirements.

4.4.7.2.5. (Added-ACC) Develop, maintain, and implement comprehensive

mobility checklists to ensure all required actions are completed during pre-

deployment and redeployment of unit personnel and equipment.


4.4.7.2.6. (Added-ACC) Synchronize unit training schedules with applicable AEF

and Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) spin-up activities.

4.4.7.2.7. (Added-ACC) Coordinate planning, development, and execution of

applicable supported Army units’ weather intelligence training objectives throughout

the ARFORGEN process.

4.4.7.2.8. (Added-ACC) Coordinate and schedule field training exercises with host

Army installation(s), as required.

4.4.7.2.9. (Added-ACC) Perform unit budget formulation work involving

preparation of detailed analyses of annual and/or multi-year budget estimates IAW

AFI 65-601, Volume 1, Budget Guidance and Procedures and AFI 65-601, Volume

2, Budget Management for Operations.

4.4.7.2.10. (Added-ACC) Perform unit budget execution and administration work

involving the monitoring of obligations incurred and actual expenditures IAW AFI

65-601, Volume 1, Budget Guidance and Procedures and AFI 65-601, Volume 2,

Budget Management for Operations.

4.4.7.2.11. (Added-ACC) Establish and maintain a logistics capability that includes

equipment and radio maintenance and manage Air Force unit supply accounts IAW

AFMAN 23-110.

4.4.7.2.12. (Added-ACC) Manage Army unit supply accounts, MTOE, and

ammunition IAW AFI 15-182 and governing Army directives.

4.4.7.2.13. (Added-ACC) Coordinate with host installation Army Central Issue

Facilities to equip unit personnel with tactical/deployment gear.

4.4.7.2.14. (Added-ACC) Manage maintenance support for unit tactical vehicles

IAW applicable Army and Air Force directives.

4.4.7.2.15. (Added-ACC) Manage weapons (including accessories) pre-deployment

inspections, periodic Combat Arms Training and Maintenance System inspections

and inventories, and armory security IAW applicable Army directives.

4.4.7.2.16. (Added-ACC) Request and obtain ammunition for exercises IAW

applicable Army directives.

4.4.7.2.17. (Added-ACC) Manage/perform unit information technology client-level

support, administration, maintenance, and installation activities IAW applicable AF

and Army directives.

4.4.8. (Added-ACC) ACC BWS assessment responsibilities include performing the

following duties to oversee and manage assessments and standardization of squadron

headquarters weather operations and assist subordinate weather organizations as appropriate.

4.4.8.1. (Added-ACC) Develop standardized certification tools and checklists. Conduct

and document initial position certification, annual position recertification, and AEF spin-

up phase checkrides for squadron headquarters personnel IAW AFI 15-127.


4.4.8.2. (Added-ACC) Establish and maintain a unit Self-Assessment Program to

monitor and assess BWS compliance with applicable AF and Army directives and

complement external Air Force inspection programs IAW AFI 90-201 and AFI 15-128.

4.4.8.3. (Added-ACC) Perform assistance visits to subordinate BWS weather

organizations, as required.

4.4.8.4. (Added-ACC) Develop, collect, and analyze technical performance data to

evaluate the accuracy and impact of weather information provided to supported units at

each level of supported Army operations IAW AFI 15-114, Functional Resource and

Weather Technical Performance Evaluation and AFI 15-128.

4.4.8.5. (Added-ACC) Implement performance standards and go/no-go proficiency

requirements IAW governing directives.

4.4.8.6. (Added-ACC) Review changes to new and revised weather support

documentation and/or agreements IAW AFMAN 15-129, Volume 2, Air and Space

Weather Operations – Exploitation.

4.4.8.7. (Added-ACC) Assist ACC/CSS weather maintenance support technicians with

coordinating and conducting communications functional area staff assistance,

evaluations, and qualification visits to BWS organizations with Air Force civilian

weather maintenance technicians assigned IAW the HQ ACC/A3W and HQ ACC/A6C

MOA for management and oversight of weather maintenance services.

4.4.8.8. (Added-ACC) As applicable, crossfeed weather operations and training best

practices to HQ 93 AGOW/DO, HQ ACC/A3W, and other BWSs.

4.4.8.9. (Added-ACC) Assist aligned ACC-gained ANG weather flights (Ref: Table

4.1. below) with establishing and maintaining their respective unit Self-Assessment

Programs IAW AFI 90-201 and AFI 15-128.


Table 4.1. (Added) Alignment of ACC BW Squadrons with ACC Gained ANG WFs for

Assistance with Unit Self-Assessment Programs.

Location State Organization Mission ACC Aligned

BW Squadron

Andrews AFB MD 121 WF BW Support 18 WS

Austin TX 209 WF BW Support 3 WS

Camp Blanding

AIN, Bradford

FL 159 WF BW Support 18 WS

Camp Murray WA 116 WF BW Support 3 WS

Charlotte NC 156 WF BW Support 18 WS

Ellington Field,

Houston

TX 111 WF BW Support 3 WS

Forbes Field,

Topeka

KS 127 WF BW Support 3 WS

Fort Indiantown

Gap AIN,

Lickdale

PA 203 WF BW Support 18 WS

Indianapolis IN 207 WF BW Support 18 WS

Little Rock AFB AR 154 WF BW Support 3 WS

March ARB CA 210 WF BW Support 3 WS

Volk Field WI 126 WF BW Support 18 WS

Minneapolis/St

Paul IAP

MN 208 WF BW Support 3 WS

Nashville TN 105 WF BW Support 18 WS

Otis ANGB MA 202 WF BW Support 18 WS

Port Hueneme CA 195 WF BW Support 3 WS

Portland IAP OR 123 WF BW Support 3 WS

Richmond VA 200 WF BW Support 18 WS

Rickenbacker AB OH 164 WF BW Support 18 WS


4.5. Weather Squadrons Supporting SOF.

4.5.1. 23d Weather Squadron (23 WS) will:

4.5.1.1. Provide a single reachback source for METOC products and data in support of

all Special Operations Forces (SOF) training and operations worldwide. The 23 WS is

capable of providing point and area MWPs precisely tailored to meet SOF mission

requirements. Since 23 WS works for SOF operators deployed across all Geographic

Combatant Commands (GCCs), 23 WS must closely coordinate product development

with affected OWSs to ensure horizontal consistency within the GCC Area of Operations.

23 WS will support the OWS by assuming responsibility for development of high-fidelity

products for SOF operating within the OWS’s geographic area of responsibility. In the

event that a Joint exercise, mission, or operation is predominately SOF, the 23 WS is

capable of functioning as the JMCO when requested by the SMO or JMO, through

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for GCCs, and coordinated

with the appropriate OWS.

4.5.1.2. Provide mission planning and mission execution forecasts (MEFs) to deployed

SOF operators without direct support weather personnel.

4.5.1.3. Provide tailored mission forecasts and/or tailored METOC data to deployed Air

Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) weather and Special Operations Weather

Team (SOWT) personnel. Tailor data and products to meet exacting format requirements

and deployed bandwidth restrictions.

4.5.1.4. Assist and augment Joint SOF METOC operational support when tasked by

USSOCOM.

4.5.1.5. Provide point-specific MEF products, to include TAF and resource protection

products, for SOF-controlled deployed airfields and operations bases. When designated

as the JMCO, will provide Joint Operations Area Forecasts/Mission Control Forecasts, in

coordination with appropriate OWSs, for SOF training and operations.

4.5.1.6. Provide daily planning and operations support to the 623 AOC Commander and

staff. When tasked, deploy weather personnel to provide direct support to the

Combined/Joint Special Operations Air Component (C/JSOAC).

4.5.1.7. Support the 1W052 Upgrade Training process (the “SOWT Pipeline”) when

tasked by HQ AFSOC/A3.

4.5.2. 10th Combat Weather Squadron (10 CWS) will:

4.5.2.1. Employ special operations weather teams (SOWT) to conduct METOC and

space environmental operations with special operations organizations as directed.

4.5.2.2. Provide support to USASOC IAW section 4.4. of this instruction (Weather

Squadrons Supporting Army Operations) and AFI 15-135 Volume 3, Special

Operations Weather Team Operations.

4.6. All Weather Squadrons. All Weather Squadrons described in this chapter will:

4.6.1. Conduct seasonal continuation training, at least quarterly, concentrating on

environmental threats to operations associated with the upcoming season. OWSs will make

their seasonal training packages available for world-wide consumption. EWXSs are exempt


(personnel should be current prior to their deployment), but should focus on the seasonal

threats relative to their respective theaters (through daily discussions, chats, etc).

4.6.2. Perform qualification, upgrade, and mobility training to ensure all deployable

personnel can achieve and maintain the proficiency required to support tasked deployed

operations. EWXSs are exempt (personnel should be current prior to their deployment) but

will evaluate all personnel arriving in-theater to determine if they possess

appropriate/documented skills and qualifications needed to meet mission requirements.

Note: Personnel can be sent home from the theater if they do not possess the appropriate

skills/qualifications needed to support the mission.

4.6.3. Conduct and document initial certification checkrides and annual recertification

checkrides on primary duty position. Checkrides completed as part of pre-deployment

preparation satisfy this requirement if the evaluated tasks cover those tasks performed in the

primary duty position. This section does not apply to EWXSs.

4.6.4. Conduct and document training and certification in the Air Force Training Record

(AFTR) IAW the 1W0XX Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP).

4.6.5. Squadron Commanders will perform a unit self-inspection within 90 days of

assumption of command and annually thereafter. Weather-specific self-inspections will be

accomplished using the applicable portions of the HQ USAF, AFWA and parent MAJCOM

(if applicable) weather compliance performance checklists. This section does not apply to

EWXSs.


Chapter 5

WEATHER SPECIALTY TEAMS

5.1. Weather Specialty Teams (WST). WSTs exist to exploit the environment by integrating

into the full spectrum of operations and intelligence, providing environmental situational

awareness and enabling decision superiority for commanders. WSTs use the characterized

weather information and data provided by other weather organizations (i.e. AFWA, OWSs, etc.)

to build a 3-D picture of the battlespace and the environmental threats affecting it.

5.2. WSTs supporting Air and Space Operations Centers (AOC) . These organizations will:

5.2.1. Tailor and integrate environmental impacts to meet the short-, medium- and long-

range mission needs of the Combined/Joint Forces Air Component Commander (C/JFACC)

staff and each of the divisions and specialty/support functions within the AOC.

5.2.2. Evaluate the impact of METOC and space environmental effects on weapons systems

and operations of both friendly and enemy forces across the spectrum of mission profiles.

5.2.3. Execute processes and procedures identified in AFI 13-1AOC Vol 3, Operational

Procedures--Air and Space Operations Center.

5.2.4. Coordinate and document Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET) data requirements with

the supporting OWS.

5.3. The 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) Weather

Operations Directorate [618 AOC (TACC)/XOW]. 618 AOC (TACC)/XOW provides

weather services to the 618 AOC (TACC) to include mission execution forecasts for United

States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)-tasked missions and other selected missions

flown by AMC and AMC-gained Air Reserve Component flying organizations. 618 AOC

(TACC)/XOW will:

5.3.1. Provide tailored staff weather briefing support to 618 AOC (TACC), 18 AF, AMC,

and USTRANSCOM IAW 618 AOC (TACC)/CC, AMC/A3, and USTRANSCOM J3

Memorandum of Agreement.

5.3.2. Provide support to 618 AOC (TACC) planning functions for operations, exercises,

contingencies, special assignment airlift, and channel operations.

5.3.3. Assess and assist in the mitigation and management of weather impacts/risks to AMC

global mobility operations.

5.3.4. Provide MEFs and weather risk assessments for:

5.3.4.1. All missions under 618 AOC (TACC) command and control (C2), except

contract commercial carriers. IAW AFI 11-207, Combat Aircraft Delivery, all

CORONET tanker support missions are under 618 AOC (TACC) C2.

5.3.4.2. AMC and AMC-gained ARC flying units/missions based on AMC installations,

except for:

5.3.4.2.1. Flying units whose predominant missions are Very Important Person

Special Airlift Mission (VIPSAM) and individual VIPSAM missions.


5.3.4.2.2. Operational and exercise Task Force 294 (TF-294) missions.

5.3.4.3. AMC and AMC-gained ARC flying units not based on AMC installations as

directed by 18 AF/CC.

5.3.5. Provide subject matter expertise in support of Mobility Air Forces (MAF) C2 system

requirements development, design reviews, and testing plan development.

5.3.6. Identify MAF C2 system capabilities required to integrate weather information into

618 AOC (TACC) planning, C2, and execution processes.

5.3.7. Provide personnel to support operational testing of MAF C2 systems.

5.4. HQ ACC Air Operations Squadron Weather Flight (HQ ACC AOS/AOSW). The HQ

ACC AOS/AOSW is the lead organization providing tailored weather support to AOS-controlled

missions (which includes all CORONET movements) and may also be called upon to support

other non-AOS controlled missions as required (e.g. ACC GLOBAL POWER, E-3 AWACS/E-8

JSTARS). ACC AOS/AOSW will:

5.4.1. Determine and document weather support requirements for all aircraft movements

under control of the ACC AOS.

5.4.2. Assume Lead Weather Unit role and inherent responsibilities for all AOS-controlled

missions.

5.4.3. Provide MISSIONWATCH services to the AOS Mission Control Center from launch

minus 6 hours (L-6) until mission completion (AOS-controlled movements only).

5.4.4. (Added-ACC) Provide weather support to the HQ ACC command staff and CAT.

5.5. Air Force Operations Group (AFOG) Weather Division (AF/A3O-AOW). IAW

AFMD 23, Air Force Operations Group, the AFOG Weather Division provides weather support

to members of Congress, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, senior DoD officials,

the Joint Staff, National Military Command Center (NMCC), HQ USAF, HQ US Army, the Air

Force Operations Group, the Army Operations Center. It also provides, primarily through its

Joint Presidential Weather Support Unit (JPWSU) at AFOG’s Operating Location A, weather

support to the President, Vice President, Raven Rock Mountain Complex, and Camp David.

5.5.1. AF/A3O-AOW will:

5.5.1.1. Tailor and integrate air, space, land, and oceanographic environmental

information into situational awareness products in support of HQ USAF, HQ US Army,

Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), NMCC, and other senior Pentagon

staff organizations as required.

5.5.1.2. Provide staff weather support to the Air Force Crisis Actions Team (AFCAT)

and Army Crisis Action Team (ACAT) during contingencies, emergencies and exercises.

5.5.1.3. Provide climatology reports, planning weather and other staff weather support as

required.

5.5.1.4. Coordinate with and assist 15 OWS with weather watch, warning, and advisory

support as required for the White House, Pentagon, Raven Rock Mountain Complex,

Camp David, and the Alternate Joint Communications Center (AJCC).


5.5.2. The JPWSU will:

5.5.2.1. Provide operational weather support to the President, Vice President, White

House Military Office (WHMO), and other military units supporting WHMO as required.

5.5.2.2. Provide mission planning support, MEFs, and MISSIONWATCH services for

Marine One Helicopter Squadron (HMX-1) airlift missions worldwide.

5.5.2.3. Act as lead forecast unit (LFU) for any airlift operations where Marine

Helicopter Squadron One and Air Force One (AF-1) mission execution time frames and

geographic locations overlap.

5.5.2.4. Coordinate point weather warnings and other specialized weather support with

AFWA or the appropriate OWS for presidential missions worldwide.

5.6. Contingency Response Group (CRG). CRG weather personnel will:

5.6.1. Provide/arrange for weather watches, warnings, and advisories (WWAs) for deployed

locations.

5.6.2. Provide/disseminate weather observations at deployed locations using AFWA

provided KQ identifier. USTRANSCOM-tasked CRG weather personnel will request KQ

identifiers through 618 AOC (TACC)/XOW.

5.6.3. Coordinate with co-located weather personnel (e.g. NATO personnel, indigenous, etc)

at deployed location, as required. USTRANSCOM-tasked CRG weather personnel will

coordinate TAF support with the appropriate OWS through 618 AOC (TACC)/XOW.

5.6.4. Coordinate with and assist responsible AOC (618 AOC (TACC)/XOW for

USTRANSCOM-tasked missions) with weather-related risk management decisions

pertaining to the deployed location.

5.6.5. Coordinate with and assist responsible OWS with TAF and weather warning/advisory

support as required.

5.7. Responsibilities applicable to all WSTs. All WSTs will:


environmental threats to operations associated with the upcoming season.



operations.

5.7.3. Conduct and document initial certification checkrides and annual recertification

checkrides on primary duty positions.

5.7.4. Conduct and document training and certification in the AFTR IAW the 1W0XX

CFETP.


Chapter 6

WEATHER FLIGHTS, DETACHMENTS AND OPERATING LOCATIONS

6.1. Weather Flights (WF). WF is the generic term used in this document to describe WFs,

detachments, and operating locations whose primary purpose is to facilitate exploitation of the

environment through integration into every phase of operations-planning and execution

processes. WFs assess the mission environment to determine environmental threats, and where

possible, find alternatives to mitigate those threats. Each flight has unique characteristics and

functions based on its parent/host unit’s mission, geographic location and level of command.

Core roles, responsibilities, processes and procedures will largely be the same. WFs support the

entire spectrum of Air Force, Army, and Special Operations’ Active and Reserve Component

mission types including but not limited to: aviation and ground operations conducted at home

station and deployed locations. WFs are also responsible to support other parent/host unit

operations where success may depend on mitigation of environmental threats (Civil Engineering,

Logistics, Communications, etc.). WF functions include the Staff Integration function, Mission

Integration function and the Airfield Support function.

6.2. General. WFs will:

6.2. (ACC)ACC weather squadrons, flights, detachments, and operating locations will:

6.2.1. Provide direct staff, mission planning and execution weather support in garrison and at

deployed locations. WFs should, when possible, deploy with their parent/host units to

provide support (e.g., contingency, exercise, off-station employment, etc.).

6.2.1.1. If unable to support deployed parent/host unit directly, accomplish support via

reachback to home station. Note: When parent/host unit assets deploy across COCOMs

(e.g., a Combat Aviation Brigade or F-16 Squadron deploys to Iraq from CONUS),

reachback support is not required from the parent/host WF. Daily weather support to the

deployed unit(s) will be provided through the respective COCOM WFs.

6.2.1.2. If unable to support deployed parent/host unit via reachback to home station,

arrange for support to be provided by the supporting OWS or by the WF in-place at the

operating location.

6.2.2. Comply with AR 115-10/AFI 15-157 (IP) when providing support to Army units as

required.

6.2.3. Establish daily hours of operation and flex/surge to meet the operational mission

needs of the parent/host unit. Reachback to the OWS, while an acceptable practice during

manning constraints, will not be routinely substituted in place of direct support with which

the WF is tasked/responsible. Therefore, WFs will schedule their personnel around mission

requirements, not airfield hours of operation, unless required to manually take or augment

automated observations as required by AFMAN 15-111, Surface Weather Observations.

6.2.3.1. Personnel will be on duty during published airfield hours (at a minimum) if the

WF is augmenting the observation or is operating as a manual station.


6.2.3.2. WFs are not required to have personnel on duty when airfield is closed unless

the Severe Weather Action Plan (SWAP) has been implemented and/or support to

parent/host unit operational mission dictates.

6.2.3.3. When possible, coordinate requirements with the supporting OWS for flight

weather briefing support to those Army VFR flights conducted outside normal

squadron/battalion operations when the airfield is closed and/or weather personnel are

unavailable.

6.2.3.4. WFs will coordinate requests for briefing support with the supporting OWS on

larger operations when the weather organization cannot provide exploitation products to

the host unit due to manning levels or Temporary Duty (TDY) commitments.

6.2.4. WFs will not have personnel on duty solely to provide briefings for Aero Club flying

activities. During normal operating hours, WFs will provide flight weather briefings to Aero

Club members performing official Air Force operational duties (e.g., Civil Air Patrol and

Initial Flying Training Programs). Aero Club members performing official flight duties

outside of normal operating hours should be advised of remote and self-briefing capabilities.

6.2.5. Provide service IAW posted duty priorities for walk-in requests from transient

aircrews. When transient or staged aircrews request briefing support, WFs will:

6.2.5.1. Provide a briefing or update an existing briefing form as time and resources

allow. EXCEPTION: Refer flight weather briefing requests for AMC, USAFE, and

PACAF integrated flight-management (IFM) missions to the appropriate IFM weather

support agency (e.g. 618 AOC (TACC)/XOW, 21 OWS, and 17 OWS respectively).

WFs may provide access to meteorological satellite imagery, take off data, and other

perishable weather data for IFM crews upon request, but will refer the aircrew to their

supporting IFM weather organization for weather updates to the actual mission package.

6.2.5.2. If unable to provide a briefing or update an existing briefing, provide contact

information for the supporting OWS and direct the aircrew to Airfield Operations-

provided terminals for online access to weather support. Assist aircrew as time permits.

6.2.6. Relay pertinent information to supporting OWS concerning changing local conditions

that significantly diverge from forecasted conditions, especially affecting resource protection

or the TAF.

6.2.7. Provide PMSV when contacted by aircrew via phone patch or any other

communications device.

6.2.8. If equipped as a Solar Electro-Optical Network site, provide solar observations IAW

AFWAI 15-2, Space Environmental Observations, Solar Optical And Radio Observing.

6.2.9. Provide upper air observations IAW FMH 3, Rawinsonde and Pibal Observations, as

required to support garrison/deployed operations, if equipped with upper air observing

equipment. Disseminate observations to AFWA and the appropriate OWS to supplement

other upper air observations or provide observations in data-sparse regions.

6.2.10. Forward requests from foreign nations for DoD weather data, imagery, technical

information, and software tools through appropriate FDO and STINFO to respective

MAJCOM weather functional.


6.2.11. Incorporate the MIRF and RIRF managed by the supporting OWS into qualification

and continuation training. WFs will contribute pertinent METSAT imagery or radar

signatures that may be of training value to the supporting OWS for consideration for

inclusion into the MIRF/RIRF.

6.2.12. Identify local or fine scale influences on weather parameters yielding empirical

evidence that may support establishment of a rule of thumb (ROT) for the installation and

military operating areas. These will be identified as observed and passed on to the

supporting OWS for validation. The WF role will not exceed gathering and furnishing of

information.

6.2.12. (ACC) ACC and ACC-gained weather organizations responsibilities for providing

and/or arranging weather support to rotational Army unit combat training exercises

conducted at the JRTC, Ft Polk, LA and the NTC, Ft Irwin, CA will include:

6.2.12.1. (Added-ACC) The 548th Combat Training Squadron weather flight (548

CTS/DOC), Ft Polk, LA and the 12th CTS weather flight (12 CTS/OSW), Ft Irwin, CA

will:

6.2.12.1.1. (Added-ACC) General:

6.2.12.1.1.1. (Added-ACC) Complete mandatory observer controller/trainer

(OC/T) and combat mission readiness training requirements IAW applicable Air

Force, ACC, FORSCOM, NTC, and JRTC directives.

6.2.12.1.1.2. (Added-ACC) Develop and coordinate on NTC/JRTC

memorandums of instruction (MOI), training objectives, and support plans.

6.2.12.1.1.3. (Added-ACC) Provide relevant NTC/JRTC climatology

information, light data, templates, points of contact, resource protection

guidelines, weather resource links and checklists using web services to support

weather integration and comply with applicable Federal guidance.

6.2.12.1.1.4. (Added-ACC) Coordinate with OL-G, HQ ACC/A3W to establish

and maintain standardized checklists for evaluating deployed BWT combat

readiness and integration of weather and weather effects information with aligned

Army units under tactical conditions.

6.2.12.1.1.5. (Added-ACC) Provide deployed BW Team (BWT) access to data

from weather sensors located on the Ft Irwin/Ft Polk range complexes.

6.2.12.1.2. (Added-ACC) Pre-Exercise:

6.2.12.1.2.1. (Added-ACC) Provide aligned rotational Army unit SWOs with

copies of applicable NTC/JRTC MOIs, SOPs, and climatology data NLT 30 days

prior to the start of exercise rotations.

6.2.12.1.2.2. (Added-ACC) Advise NTC/JRTC exercise directors on weather

OC/T manning shortfalls each rotation adjust as required.

6.2.12.1.3. (Added-ACC) Exercise execution:

6.2.12.1.3.1. (Added-ACC) Provide fully trained and qualified weather OC/Ts.

6.2.12.1.3.2. (Added-ACC) Conduct evaluations of deployed BWT combat


readiness and integration of weather and weather effects information with aligned

Army units under tactical conditions.

6.2.12.1.3.3. (Added-ACC) Provide staff weather support to exercise Division

Tactical Operations Center (D-TOC)/Joint Operations Center (JOC) NTC/JRTC

staffs, rotational Army unit blue forces, and opposing force operations.

6.2.12.1.3.4. (Added-ACC) Provide the following general weather information

for NTC/JRTC training areas to support echelons/elements of rotational Army

units without direct deployed BWT support:

6.2.12.1.3.4.1. (Added-ACC) Mission planning weather information tailored

to AFI 11-202, Volume 3, General Flight Rules, and Army Regulation 95-1,

Flight Regulations, weather minimums.

6.2.12.1.3.4.2. (Added-ACC) Extended 120-hour forecasts for locations

with documented requirements that include: generalized sky

condition/weather, maximum and minimum temperature, predominant wind

speed/direction, and precipitation type.

6.2.12.1.3.4.3. (Added-ACC) Relevant terminal aerodrome forecast(s),

surface weather observations, and watches, warnings, and advisories.

6.2.12.1.3.5. (Added-ACC) Provide deployed BWTs with technical assistance

on analyzing actual or simulated local weather regimes and terrain effects.

6.2.12.1.3.6. (Added-ACC) Provide deployed BWT and supported Army unit

decision makers with realistic battlefield scenarios that include information on:

6.2.12.1.3.6.1. (Added-ACC) Regional weather characterization products

and communications systems.

6.2.12.1.3.6.2. (Added-ACC) Potential weather impacts and integration of

weather and weather effects information into supported unit decision-making

processes and C2 systems.

6.2.12.1.3.7. (Added-ACC) Assist deployed BWTs with back-up

communications, as required.

6.2.12.1.4. (Added-ACC) Post Exercise:

6.2.12.1.4.1. (Added-ACC) Conduct after actions reviews, hot washes,

performance feedback sessions, and collect inputs for after-actions reports.

6.2.12.1.4.2. (Added-ACC) Provide written reports exercise evaluation results

to the deployed BWT’s assigned weather organization(s), parent BWS, and OL-

G, HQ ACC NLT 30 days of each exercise. At minimum, reports should include

the following information:

6.2.12.1.4.2.1. (Added-ACC) Executive summary

6.2.12.1.4.2.2. (Added-ACC) Deployed weather personnel

6.2.12.1.4.2.3. (Added-ACC) Deployed/fixed weather equipment

6.2.12.1.4.2.4. (Added-ACC) Training objectives (aggregate, aviation, and


BCT) and percentage achieved

6.2.12.1.4.2.5. (Added-ACC) Significant exercise highlights

6.2.12.1.4.2.6. (Added-ACC) Lessons learned, observations, issues, and

trends

6.2.12.1.4.2.7. (Added-ACC) Conclusion

6.2.12.1.4.2.8. (Added-ACC) Contact information

6.2.12.2. (Added-ACC) Rotational BWT SWOs will complete the following actions

NLT 30 prior to the start of exercises:

6.2.12.2.1. (Added-ACC) Pre-Exercise, NLT 30 days prior to start of each exercise

rotation:

6.2.12.2.2. (Added-ACC) Coordinate with BWS leadership and aligned Army units

to coordinate exercise objectives and identify deployed Army echelons/elements that

require deployed BWT support.

6.2.12.2.3. (Added-ACC) Identify and arrange for the required personnel,

equipment, logistics, products, services, communications, and life support resources

needed to support aligned rotational Army unit training objectives.

6.2.12.2.4. (Added-ACC) Identify, in writing, weather personnel, equipment,

logistics, products, services, communications, and life support limitations to higher

echelons in a timely manner to mitigate shortfalls.

6.2.12.2.5. (Added-ACC) Coordinate exercise resource protection forecast criteria

and lead times; weather product issue and valid times; dissemination procedures with

12 CTS/OSW / 548 CTS/DOC.

6.2.12.2.6. (Added-ACC) Coordinate with 12 CTS/OSW / 548 CTS/DOC on

exercise MOIs.

6.2.12.2.7. (Added-ACC) Provide and/or arrange pre-deployment mission planning

weather information for aligned rotational Army unit(s).

6.2.12.2.8. (Added-ACC) Request pre-deployment technical assistance for tactical

weather/communication systems, as required, from the 2d Combat Weather Systems

Squadron, through HQ ACC/A3WO.

6.2.12.2.9. (Added-ACC) Request KQ identifiers, as required, from the HQ Air

Force Weather Agency’s Current Operations Division IAW AFMAN 15-129,

Volume 2.

6.2.12.2.10. (Added-ACC) Coordinate with BWS leadership (as applicable),

aligned rotational Army units, and 12 CTS/OSW / 548 CTS/DOC to identify and

document BWT exercise objectives.

6.2.12.2.11. (Added-ACC) Coordinate with 12 CTS/OSW / 548 CTS/DOC and

submit support assistance requests, as required, to the servicing operational weather

squadron IAW AFMAN 15-129, Volume 2.


6.2.12.2.12. (Added-ACC) Coordinate maintenance support procedures for

deployed rotational BWT communications outages.

6.2.12.3. (Added-ACC) BWTs tasked to provide support to aligned rotational Army

units will:

6.2.12.3.1. (Added-ACC) Deploy with all required tactical meteorological and

communications equipment.


environmental threats to operations associated with the upcoming season. Training should

focus on environmental sensitivity thresholds pertinent to DoD full-spectrum operations

including, but not limited to, supported weapons systems, platforms, mission profiles, TTPs,

mission-essential task lists (METLs), and integration of environmental threats into JOPP,

MDMP, IPB, C4ISR systems, ORM processes and the COP. WFs will leverage seasonal

training material from their supporting OWS.



operations.

6.2.15. Conduct initial certification checkrides and annual recertification checkrides on

primary duty position(s). Document initial certification and recertification on AF Form

1098, Special Task Certification and Recurring Training, regardless of rank. All personnel

will be position qualified to operate from an Alternate Operating Location (AOL).

6.2.16. Conduct and document training and certification in the AFTR IAW the 1W0XX

CFETP.

6.2.17. Support U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine missions on Joint Bases where the AF has the

lead for base operations and sustainment support provided those missions do not require

specialized support and are akin to support normally given to AF and Army units. This

support will not drive additional manpower or other costs to the AF without an interservice

agreement coordinated at HQ USAF/A3O-W.

6.2.18. Coordinate support for Air Force remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), controlled via

remote split operations (RSO), with the WF directly supporting the RSO C2 center (e.g., 432

OSS/OSW, 9 OSS/OSW, 3 SOS/WX). For go/no-go weather recommendations affecting the

RSO phase of a mission (e.g., pre-mission planning, weather recall or dynamic re-tasking of

an airborne RPA), WFs will defer to the WF directly supporting the RSO C2 center. MWPs

for launch and recovery element (LRE) and divert locations, whether provided by a

collocated WF or OWS via reachback, will include RPA mission-limiting weather thresholds

as determined by the RSO C2 center. To ensure combat forces at all echelons receive

consistent information, the WF supporting the RSO C2 element will inform other weather

elements involved in the mission (e.g., WF collocated with a LRE, AOC WST, JOC, etc.)

when RPA operations are affected by weather as soon as practical.

6.2.19. Ensure RPAs tasked to deploy without organic weather forces receive weather

support from gaining weather team assigned to the deployed C2 function. Only Group 3

(e.g., RQ-7B Shadow, MQ-5B Hunter, MQ-1C Grey Eagle) or larger RPA will receive

mission-specific aviation weather support (i.e., similar to a UH-60, AH-64, etc.); Group 2 or


smaller RPA (e.g., RQ-11B Raven, Scan Eagle) will receive general weather support (i.e.,

“area forecasts” not tailored to specific missions), as defined in AR 115-10/AFI 15-157 (IP).

Weather products for launch/recovery (L/R) locations, whether provided by a collocated WF

or OWS via reachback, will include critical RPA environmental sensitivity thresholds as

determined by the C2 entity responsible for the RPA. To ensure combat forces at all

echelons receive consistent information, the WF supporting RPA operations will inform

other weather elements involved in the mission [e.g., BCT WF, Division WF, AOC WST (if

the RPA mission was included on the ATO), JOC/TOC, etc.] when RPA operations are

affected by weather as soon as practical. Note: Refer to Joint Concept of Operations for

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (25 Nov 08) for definitions of RPA Groups. In addition, for the

purpose of this publication RPA and UAS are synonymous.

6.2.20. (Added-ACC) Ensure weather personnel and equipment designated to fill UTCs

postured in the UTC Availability (UTA) for supporting AF and Army missions comply with

the training, deployment, redeployment, readiness and preparation requirements specified in

AFI 10-401; AFI 10-403; AFMAN 23-110; this supplement; and applicable local directives.

BW organizations will also comply with host Army installation and supported Army

organization training and deployment planning requirements.

6.2.21. (Added-ACC) Establish and maintain a deployment reference binder (or electronic

equivalent) that includes load plans, pre-deployment briefings, AF/Army equipment

accountability lists, supported organizations’ plans, and other deployment-relevant

information as needed.

6.2.22. (Added-ACC) Establish and maintain pre-deployment checklists to help ensure all

required actions are completed prior to deployment. At a minimum, pre-deployment

checklists will:

6.2.22.1. (Added-ACC) Identify deploying personnel/equipment (including

Communications Security materials) and associated shortfalls. Notify chain-of-command

and HQ ACC/A3W of any shortfalls as soon as they are identified.

6.2.22.2. (Added-ACC) Identify deployed weather operations requirements, to include

support from the supporting OWS(s).

6.2.22.3. (Added-ACC) Identify communications requirements to the supporting AF or

Army communications unit.

6.2.22.4. (Added-ACC) Inspect personal gear of all deploying personnel for

serviceability and/or missing items and resolve deficiencies.

6.2.22.5. (Added-ACC) Complete pre-deployment personnel briefings (e.g., mission,

security, safety, personal affairs, finance, dependent care) IAW AFI 10-403.

6.2.22.6. (Added-ACC) Obtain and review deployment area information (e.g., maps,

country guides, climatology, terrain, geography, culture, light data).

6.2.22.7. (Added-ACC) Develop a letter of instruction, if the lead weather organization.

6.2.22.8. (Added-ACC) Deploy with standard operating procedures that can be tailored

to support deployed weather operations requirements.


6.2.22.9. (Added-ACC) Inventory and inspect vehicles, equipment, administrative kits,

supplies, publications, forms, and charts; repair or replace broken or missing items; and

pack equipment for deployment.

6.2.22.10. (Added-ACC) Verify accuracy and receipt of AF deployment orders.

6.3. WF Commander/WF Chief and NCOIC. For brevity, the term “WF leadership” will be

used in place of WF Commander, WF Chief, OIC and NCOIC unless duties specific to

individual positions apply. One of the essential responsibilities of WF leadership is to gain an

intimate knowledge of the various missions their parent/host unit is tasked with supporting or

executing, identify and understand specific impacts of the environment on those missions, and

impart this to their subordinates through enduring processes and procedures. This is

accomplished through establishing relationships with key decisionmakers in the supported

agencies based on open, continuing communication. Leadership must be proactively involved

with these agencies, building trust through the consistent application of weather skills and

mission-based knowledge to enhance and achieve mission success. WF leadership will:

6.3. (ACC)ACC weather squadrons, flights, detachments, and operating locations will:

6.3.1. Engage with base/post agencies to determine weather support requirements.

6.3.1.1. To the maximum extent possible, document weather support in appropriate

existing parent/host unit plans and directives [e.g., Installation Emergency Management

Plan 10-2 (IEMP 10-2) and any other applicable plans containing an Annex H or weather

appendix]. Stand-alone weather support documents covering specific support, unable to

be documented elsewhere, are allowed but should be kept to a minimum.

6.3.1.2. Determine parent/host organization WWA criteria, required lead-times and

notification requirements. This information will be coordinated with the supporting

OWS and documented on the installation data page.

6.3.1.3. Assist parent/host unit in creation of a dissemination plan for WWA information

to ensure base/post agencies consistently receive timely notification of potential and/or

forecasted significant weather events that may impact local operations and/or damage

base/post resources.

6.3.1.3.1. AF WFs will assist in creation of the IEMP 10-2 Appendix A IAW AFI

10-2501, Air Force Emergency Management (EM) Program Planning and

Operations.

6.3.1.4. Coordinate dissemination plan with supporting OWS for use with an automated

warning dissemination system and document in the installation data page.

6.3.2. Establish outage reporting procedures for weather equipment and communications

systems with the appropriate garrison/deployed maintenance unit and with the AFWA

Consolidated Support Center (CSC).

6.3.2.1. (Added-ACC) Document all communication and equipment outages. Outage

logs will be maintained on either an AF general purpose or locally developed form;

record outages for each piece of meteorological, communication, and/or sensing

equipment. Use the AFRIMS RDS to obtain appropriate retention and disposition for the

outage logs.


6.3.2.2. (Added-ACC) During normal duty hours, notify their respective weather

squadron director of operations and the HQ ACC Contingency and Readiness Branch

(HQ ACC/A3WC) Weather Systems Manager (AF support weather organizations) of

prolonged (i.e., exceeding 48 hours) or recurring weather systems or communications

outages that impact weather operations.

6.3.3. Coordinate with parent/host command structure to ensure WF personnel have

appropriate security clearance for, and are granted access to, mission planning and execution

information required to properly exploit air and space environmental information and

mitigate environmental threats to mission success.

6.3.4. Document supported operations’ (1) mission profiles, (2) planning and execution

phases, and (3) environmental sensitivities and train all personnel on them.

6.3.5. Use the applicable portions of the HQ USAF, AFWA and parent MAJCOM (if

applicable) weather compliance performance checklists to perform a unit self-inspection

within 90 days of a change in senior WF leadership and annually thereafter.

6.3.6. Complete all AF-directed and locally determined training and certification

requirements for all local WF duty positions within 120 days of assignment.

6.3.7. Schedule operations (opening/closing hours, manpower allocation, etc) around the

battle rhythm of the supported mission. Operations must be flexible enough to respond to

daily changes in battle rhythm.

6.3.8. Coordinate deployment posturing and logistic requirements through appropriate

channels (e.g. MAJCOM FAM, Unit Deployment Manager, Logistics Squadron, Army G-

4/S-4 or G-2/S-2).

6.3.9. Develop and implement SWAP operations to ensure sufficient personnel are available

during potential/actual severe weather events or during meteorological/operational events

critical to mission success. WF leadership will determine which environmental conditions

require SWAP. For garrison operations, SWAP may be linked to watch/warning products

(reference AFI 10-229, Responding To Severe Weather Events, for additional guidance). At

expeditionary locations, SWAP is integral to resource protection; exact processes and

procedures may be limited at austere locations or during combat/maneuver phases of military

operations. See also AFMAN 15-111, Surface Weather Observations, for guidance on

augmentation of automated weather observing systems during SWAP.

6.3.10. Develop procedures to provide appropriate information to the installation agency

(usually the command post) that prepares Operational Report 3 (OPREP-3) reports for the

installation commander IAW AFI 10-229. For AF WFs, severe weather events are reported

to the command agency of the supported location IAW OPREP-3 reporting procedures in

AFMAN 10-206, Operational Reporting. Army support WFs will follow locally coordinated

procedures. Ensure the OWS and the parent MAJCOM weather functional (or equivalent)

are aware of the OPREP-3 report.

6.3.11. Develop an evacuation/relocation plan that provides continuity of operations in the

event normal work centers are unavailable. Use parent/host unit plans where possible, and

coordinate actions with other agency evacuation plans [Air Traffic Control (ATC), Airfield

Operations, Flying Squadrons, etc.].


6.3.12. Coordinate with ATC agencies to develop ATC local procedures to ensure weather

technicians receive PIREPs relayed to ATC. Local operating procedures should include

timeliness requirements [e.g., ATC/supervisor of flying (SOF) will relay pilot report (PIREP)

information to weather not later than 5 minutes after receipt].

6.3.13. Provide information to the Airfield Manager or appropriate base/post agency for

Flight Information Publications (FLIPs). WFs will validate the accuracy of the information

each time the FLIP is published and take immediate steps to correct erroneous data.

6.3.14. Ensure MWPs meet the operational requirements of the installation supervisor of

flying (SOF) or Army equivalent.

6.3.15. Ensure newly assigned WF personnel are given a thorough orientation before

position qualification including at a minimum:

6.3.15.1. Physically visit all meteorological sensors on the airfield and discuss site

limitations and their effects on operations.

6.3.15.2. Tour ATC facilities (tower and radar facility) and discuss cooperative weather

watch procedures and how local weather impacts flight operations.

6.3.15.3. Visit operational supported agencies and discuss mission and weapons systems'

weather sensitivities. At a minimum, this will include flying squadrons, aviation

operation centers, command posts, Emergency Operations Centers (EOC), CBRN

Control Centers, Brigade Combat Teams (BCT), Support Brigades, Divisions and Corps.

6.3.15.4. Visit the SOF and/or flight safety duty section(s) to discuss SOF/flight safety

processes and how timely and accurate weather information enhances flight safety.

6.3.16. Determine parent/host organization SPEC/AMD criteria and coordinate this support

with the supporting OWS. This information will be documented on the installation data

page.

6.3.17. (Added-ACC) Assist supported units with preparation and submission of weather

support SORs IAW AR 115-10/ AFI 15-157 (IP) and AFI 15-182.

6.4. Staff Integration Function. Personnel executing the Staff integration function will:

6.4.1. Liaise directly with the parent/host unit commander and staff to relay pertinent

information on environmental threats to parent/host unit mission.

6.4.2. Evaluate SWSs issued by the supporting OWS for environmental threats to the

parent/host unit and integrate the resulting information into risk management decision cycles.

6.4.3. Liaise directly with supported base/post agencies to determine new mission

requirements, validate current requirements and evaluate effectiveness of current support

(planning meetings, training/exercise hotwashes, individual requirement meetings, etc.)

6.4.4. Evaluate support requirements and determine the most efficient/best solution to meet

validated requirements.

6.4.5. Provide direct support to command, control, and planning functions.

6.4.6. Coordinate logistics for movement of personnel and equipment during exercises and

deployments.


6.4.7. Provide meteorological parameters, data, and subject matter expertise to installation

Disaster Response Force elements, EOC Emergency Support Functions (ESF), and any/all

Installation Emergency Management Plans.

6.4.7.1. Partner with the Civil Engineering Squadron Readiness Flight (CEXR), Fire

Emergency Services (CEF), installation Medical Group’s Bioenvironmental Engineering

Flight, Army Installation Directors of Emergency Services, and National Guard Civil

Support Teams for ANG weather organizations, as the Weather SME responsible for

optimizing weather data input to CDMs, EDMs, and CBRN hazard-prediction models

used by these ESFs for decision assistance in the EOC, CBRN Control Center, and at the

incident site.

6.4.7.1.1. Weather SME will advise and provide the most accurate and representative

observed and/or forecast alphanumeric and gridded meteorological data type

appropriate to a particular CBRN event to users employing ALOHA, CAMEO, and

CBRN hazard-prediction (i.e., “plume”) models resident in the Joint Warning and

Reporting Network (JWARN)/Joint Effects Model (JEM)/Joint Operational Effects

Federation (JOEF) architecture IAW AFI 10-2501, AFMAN 10-2503 and equivalent

Joint guidance, to ensure consistency between CBRN hazard area predictions and the

installation forecast.

6.4.7.1.2. Provide real-time observations as well as forecast alphanumeric and

gridded model data files used to generate the affected installation’s Terminal

Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) as the primary weather input to users generating

automated or manual location-/installation-specific CDMs and EDMs to ensure

consistency between CBRN hazard area predictions and the installation forecast.

6.4.7.2. Provide or arrange for delivery of CDMs and EDMs generated from AFWA or

OWS webpages.

6.4.8. Provide weather expertise for Instrument Refresher Program briefings upon request.

See AFMAN 11-210, Instrument Refresher Program, for further information.

6.5. Mission Integration Function. Mission integration requires gaining an in-depth

understanding of supported mission platforms, equipment, and systems capabilities/sensitivities

as well as mission processes (e.g., JOPP, MDMP, IPB, ORM, COP, tactics, etc.) to be able to

reliably inject timely, accurate, and relevant environmental information at every decision point in

the mission planning process in an effort to optimize mission execution. To ensure maximum

mission integration, personnel executing the Mission Integration function will:

6.5.1. Configure personnel/operations in whatever manner maximizes the WF’s ability to

reliably “inject the right information at the right time every time” into their supported flying

and non-flying organizations’ mission planning, execution and assessment processes. Note:

Optimal configurations may or may not require collocation with the supported

organization(s). Therefore, collocation decisions will be left to the discretion of senior WF

leadership.

6.5.2. Establish and actively maintain working relationships with supported organizations’

key operational decision makers, operators, intelligence specialists, tactical-level mission

planners, schedulers, and weapons and tactics experts. Once established, WF personnel will

be able to quickly adapt to process and/or mission changes.


6.5.2.1. Maintain operational situational awareness through active participation in

supported customers’ battle rhythms which include, but are not limited to, joint planning

group(s), threat working group(s), ISR synchronization, mission planning, rehearsals,

mission execution, and operations updates.

6.5.2.2. Pass information on operations schedule, sensitivity threshold, or support

requirement changes to WF/CC or NCOIC.

6.5.3. Provide operators with the capability to exploit favorable environmental windows of

opportunity and gain asymmetrical advantage by exercising keen knowledge of

environmental sensitivity thresholds impacting mission profiles, weapon systems, TTPs,

METLs, and other operationally relevant factors across the full spectrum of operations.

Inject as appropriate throughout the planning, execution, and assessment phases of the

continuous operations cycle.

6.5.3.1. Provide environmental estimates based on combat critical environmental

thresholds to assess feasibility of missions as well as anticipate effectiveness of air and

ground combat systems, platforms, weapon systems, and munitions.

6.5.3.2. Focus on mitigation of environmental threats, offering weather-optimized

alternatives to existing courses of action that will help shape the mission profile and

increase the likelihood of mission success.

6.5.4. Provide MWPs as coordinated with supported units, including tenant organizations.

MWPs include MEFs, IPB products, mission planning products, environmental inputs to

mission analysis, environmental staff estimates, running environmental staff estimates, and

any other weather product prepared to meet the needs of a supported unit.

6.5.5. Use an established, repeatable process to create deliverable MWPs and provide

decision-quality environmental information for all stages of the planning and execution

phases of operations. Multiple MWPs may be created to support the needs of different

mission profiles (air, ground maneuver, fixed sensor, EOC and Civil Engineering CBRN

Control Center operations, Civil Engineering Fire Emergency Services, etc.).

6.5.6. Interpret and apply space weather data and forecasts to support applicable unit

missions. This includes alerting the supported unit to the impacts of space weather on their

operations, weapons, and communication systems.

6.5.7. Provide weather input to Tactical Decision Aids as coordinated with the host/parent

unit. This includes working proactively with the installation CES/CEXR to ensure that the

most accurate and representative meteorological data type is input correctly into the

JWARN/JEM/JOEF suite of CBRN models as well as ALOHA and CAMEO to produce

CBRN Control Center and/or EOC hazard plume decision aids that are consistent with the

DoD-approved installation forecast (TAF).

6.5.8. Apply sound ORM practices to processes covering MISSIONWATCH within

designated areas of operations across the spectrum of air and ground mission profiles and for

the duration of those missions. This will include:

6.5.8.1. Developing procedures to determine critical thresholds requiring intensified

MISSIONWATCH and updating parent/host unit on changes to environmental conditions

critical to the mission.


6.5.8.2. Maintaining a MISSIONWATCH tailored to the mission(s) of the day.

6.5.8.3. Assigning risk, allocating resources and directing activities to conduct

MISSIONWATCH for parent/host unit missions.

6.5.8.4. Conducting MISSIONWATCH for critical portions of every mission placed at

risk due to environmental threats.

6.5.8.5. Informing the supporting OWS when weather products issued by the OWS do

not accurately reflect observed conditions, particularly when conditions impact safety of

flight.

6.6. Airfield Support Function. The airfield support function focuses on providing decision

makers and supported organizations with highly perishable, timely, accurate, and relevant

observed environmental information essential to flying and non-flying operations, both in

garrison and at deployed locations. Personnel executing the airfield support function will:

6.6.1. Use the procedures in AFMAN 15-111 to take, record and disseminate surface

weather observations at those locations requiring an observation for airfield operations.

6.6.2. Relay significant, time-sensitive meteorological information (e.g., tactical radar data,

significant surface observations) to OWS technicians conducting forecast/METWATCH

operations IAW a locally established duty priority list. Note: This responsibility is still

required in circumstances where US National Weather Service or a host nation issues the

aerodrome forecast.

6.6.3. While deployed, relay (to the supporting OWS) pertinent observations from

forward/combined operating bases, tactical or fixed radars, upper air soundings, and other

meteorological information described in the JMO Letter of Instruction, Theater Sensing

Strategy or local EWXS procedures.

6.6.4. Coordinate with other weather organizations operating from the same in-garrison or

deployed location to ensure weather support is consistent and weather functions are not

duplicated by the other weather organizations.


6.6.4.1. The WF assigned to the airfield and supporting the host unit is responsible for

the local surface weather observation and will issue observed weather

warnings/advisories for the installation as required. If sensing capability exists, the

supporting OWS may issue and/or cancel observed weather warnings/advisories provided

it has been coordinated and is documented on the installation data page.

6.6.5. Issue WWs for forecast phenomena when imminent weather conditions pose a hazard

to life or property, and immediate coordination with the supporting OWS is not possible.

6.7. Adopted Forms: AF Form 525, Records Disposition Recommendation

AF Form 1341, Electronic Record Inventory

AF Form 1098, Special Task Certification and Recurring Training

HERBERT J. CARLISLE, Lt Gen, USAF

DCS, Operations, Plans and Requirements

(ACC)

GILMARY M. HOSTAGE III, General, USAF

Commander


Attachment 1

GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION

References

DoD 5000.59, Modeling and Simulation Management, 8 August 2007

DoD 5000.59-P, Modeling and Simulation Master Plan, 17 October 1995

JP 3-59, Joint Doctrine, Tactic, Techniques, and Procedures for Meteorological and

Oceanographic Operations, 24 September 2008

AFDD 1, Air Force Basic Doctrine, 17 November 2003

AFDD 3-59 (formerly AFDD 2-9.1), Weather Operations, 3 May 2006

AFPD 15-1, Air Force Weather Operations, 19 February 2010

AFPD 90-10, Total Force Integration Policy, 16 June 2006

AFI 10-208, Continuity of Operations (COOP) Program, 1 December 2005

AFI 10-229, Responding to Severe Weather Events, 15 October 2003

AFI 10-403, Deployment Planning and Execution, 13 January 2008

AFI 10-2501, Air Force Emergency Management (EM) Program Planning and Operations,24

Jan 2007

AFI 11-202 Vol 3, General Flight Rules, 5 April 2006

AFI 11-207, Combat Aircraft Delivery, 24 October 2007

AFI 13-1AOC Vol 3, Operational Procedures--Air and Space Operations Center, 1 August 2005

AFI 13-218, Air Traffic System Evaluation Program, 10 Oct 2003

AFI 15-114, Functional Resource and Weather Technical Performance Evaluation, 7 December

2001

AFI 15-135, Vol 1, Special Operations Weather Training, 13 July 2010

AFI 15-135, Vol 2, Special Operations Weather Standardization and Evaluation, 13 July 2010

AFI 15-135, Vol 3, Special Operations Weather Team Operations, 13 July 2010

AFI 15-157 (IP), Weather Support for the U.S. Army, 6 February 2010

AFI 15-180, Standardization and Evaluation Program for Weather Operations, 23 July 2007

AFI 16-201, Air Force Foreign Disclosure and Technology Transfer Program, 1 December 2004

AFI 25-201, Support Agreements Procedures, 1 May 2005

AFI 33-101, (Communications and Information) Commanders Guidance and Responsibilities,

18 November 2008

AFI 33-104, Base-Level Planning and Implementation, 10 May 2001

AFI 33-200, Information Assurance (IA) Management, 23 December 2008


AFMAN 10-206, Operational Reporting, 15 October 2008

AFMAN 10-2502, Air Force Incident Management System (AFIMS) Standards and Procedures,

25 September 2009

AFMAN 10-2503, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive

(CBRNE) Operations

AFMAN 10-2504, Air Force Incident Management Guidance for Major Accidents and Natural

Disasters, 1 December 2009

AFMAN 11-210, Instrument Refresher Program, 3 February 2005

AFMAN 15-111, Surface Weather Observations, 10 March 2009

AFMAN 15-124, Meteorological Codes, 28 October 2009

AFMAN 33-363, Management of Records, 1 March 2008

AFMD 23, Air Force Operations Group, 1 March 1999

AFMD 52, Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA), 16 March 2010

AF Records Disposition Schedule in the Air Force Records Information Management System

(AFRIMS)

AFVA 15-136, AF Weather OWS AORs – CONUS, 4 June 2008

AFVA 15-137, AF Weather OWS AORs – OCONUS, 4 June 2008

AFWAI 15-2, Space Environmental Observations, Solar Optical And Radio Observing, 20 April

2010

AR 95-1, Flight Regulations, 12 November 2008

FMH 3, Rawinsonde and Pibal Observations, August 2006

FMH 11, Doppler Radar Meteorological Observations, May 2009

FM 34-81/AFJPAM 15-127, Weather Support for U.S. Army Tactical Operations, 31 August

1989

Abbreviations and Acronyms

18 AF—Eighteenth Air Force

A3O—W-Director of Weather

ACAT—Army Crisis Action Team

ACC—Air Combat Command

ADL—Advanced Distributive Learning

ADLS—Advanced Distributive Learning System

AEF—Air and Space Expeditionary Force

AF—Air Force

AF—1-Air Force One


AFB—Air Force Base

AFCAT—Air Force Crisis Action Team

AFDW—Air Force District of Washington

AFGSC—Air Force Global Strike Command

AFI—Air Force Instruction

AFJI—Air Force Joint Instruction

AFMC—Air Force Material Command

AFMAN—Air Force Manual

AFMD—Air Force Mission Directive

AFOG—Air Force Operations Group

AFPD—Air Force Policy Directive

AFRC—Air Force Reserve Command

AFRIMS—Air Force Records Information Management System

AFRTS—American Forces Radio and Television Service

AFS—Air Force Specialty

AFSOC—Air Force Special Operations Command

AFTR—Air Force Training Record

AFVA—Air Force Visual Aid

AFW—Air Force Weather

AFWA—Air Force Weather Agency

AFWKC—Air Force Weather Knowledge Center

AFWTI—Air Force Weather Technology Integration

AFWWS—Air Force Weather Weapon System

AJCC—Alternate Joint Communications Center

ALOHA—Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres; an Air Force software program designed

to assist in identification and analysis of HAZMAT

AMC—Air Mobility Command

ANG—Air National Guard

AO—Area of Operations

AOC—Air and Space Operations Center

AOL—Alternate Operating Location

AOR—Area of Responsibility

AOS—Air Operations Squadron


AR—Army Regulation

ARC—Air Reserve Component

ASNE—Air and Space Natural Environment

ATC—Air Traffic Control

ATO—Air Tasking Order

AT&L—Acquisition Technology and Logistics

AWACS—Airborne Warning and Control System

BCT—Brigade Combat Team

BW—Battlefield Weather

BWS—Battlefield Weather Squadron

C2—Command and Control

C4ISR—Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and

Reconnaissance

CAB—Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMEO—Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations; an Air Force software

program designed to assist in identification and analysis of HAZMAT

CBRN—Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear

CBRNE—Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-yield Explosive

CDM—Chemical Downwind Message

CES—--Civil Engineering Squadron

CEXR—--Civil Engineering Squadron Readiness Flight

CEF—--Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Emergency Services Flight

CEMP—--Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan

CFETP—--Career Field Education and Training Program

CFM—--Career Field Manager

C/JFACC—--Combined/Joint Forces Air Component Commander

C/JOAF—--Combined/Joint Operational Area Forecast

C/JSOAC—--Combined/Joint Special Operations Air Component

CMWP—--Controlling Mission Weather Products

C-NAF—--Component Numbered Air Force

COA—--Course of Action

COCOM—--Combatant Command

CONPLAN—--Concept Plan


CONUS—--Continental United States

COOP—--Continuity of Operations Plan

COP—--Common Operating Picture

CRG—--Contingency Response Group

CSC—--Consolidated Support Center

CWS—--Combat Weather Squadron

CWSS—--Combat Weather Systems Squadron

DCS—--Deputy Chief of Staff

DET—--Detachment

DoD—--Department of Defense

DRF—--Disaster Response Force; the organization used for disaster, accident, or incident

response, command and control, and recovery.

DRU—--Direct Reporting Unit

EDM—--Effective Downwind Message

EM—--Emergency Management/Manager

EOC—--Emergency Operations Center

ESF—--Emergency Support Function

ESR—--Environmental Special Reconnaissance

EWXS—--Expeditionary Weather Squadron

FAM—--Functional Area Manager/Management

FDO—--Foreign Disclosure Officer

FITL—--Forecaster-in-the-Loop

FLIP—--Flight Information Publication

FM—--Field Manual

FMH—--Federal Meteorological Handbook

FOA—--Field Operating Agency

FRM—--Forecast Reference Material

FWA—--Forecast Weather Advisory

G-2—---Army Intelligence

GCC—--Geographic Combatant Command

GSC—--Global Synchronization Center

HMX—1---Marine One Helicopter Squadron

HQ—--Headquarters


HQDA—--Headquarters, Department of the Army

IA—--Information Assurance

IAW—--In Accordance With

IEMP—--Installation Emergency Management Plan

IFM—--Integrated Flight Management

IP—--Interservice Publication

IPB—--Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield/Battlespace

JAAWIN—--Joint Air Force and Army Weather Information Network

JEM—--Joint Effects Model

JET—--Joint Environmental Toolkit

JFACC—--Joint Forces Air Component Commander

JITT—--Just-In-Time-Training

JIPOE—--Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment

JMCO—--Joint Meteorological and Oceanographic Coordination Organization

JMO—--Joint Meteorological and Oceanographic Officer

JOAF—--Joint Operational Area Forecast

JOC—--Joint Operations Center

JOEF—--Joint Operational Effects Federation

JOPP—--Joint Operational Planning Process

JPWSU—--Joint Presidential Weather Support Unit

JSTARS—-- Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System

JWARN—--Joint Warning and Reporting Network

LFU—--Lead Forecast Unit

L/R—--Launch/Recovery

LRE—--Launch and Recovery Element

MAJCOM—--Major Command (Air Force)

MAF—--Mobility Air Forces

M&S—--Modeling and Simulation

MDMP—--Military Decision Making Process

MEF—--Mission Execution Forecast

METL—--Mission Essential Task List

METOC—--Meteorological and Oceanographic


METSAT—--Meteorological Satellite

METWATCH—--Meteorological Watch

MIRF/RIRF—--METSAT Information Reference File/Radar Information Reference File

MISSIONWATCH—--Mission-Scale Meteorological Watch

MOA—--Memorandum of Agreement

MOAF—--Military Operating Area Forecast

MSEA—--Modeling and Simulation Executive Agent

MWP—--Mission Weather Product

NASIC—--National Air and Space Intelligence Center

NATO—--North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NCOIC—--Non-commissioned Officer In Charge

NGA—--National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

NIPRnet—--Non-Classified Internet Protocol Router Network

NMCC—--National Military Command Center

NOAA—--National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration

NWP—--Numerical Weather Prediction

O&M—--Operations and Maintenance

OCONUS—--Outside the Continental United States

OIC—--Officer In Charge

OL—--Operating Location

OPLAN—--Operations Plan

OPR—--Office of Primary Responsibility

OPREP—--Operational Report

OSD—--Office of the Secretary of Defense

OSS—--Operations Support Squadron

OWS—--Operational Weather Squadron

PAIS—--Point Analysis Intelligence System

PIREPS—--Pilot Reports

PMSV—--Pilot-to-Metro Service

PWS—--Performance Work Statement

R&D—--Research and Development

RDS—--Records Disposition Schedule


ROT—--Rule of Thumb

RPA—--Remotely Piloted Aircraft

RSO—--Remote Split Operations

SAR—--Support Assistance Request

SECAF—--Secretary of the Air Force

SEC—--Space Environment Center

SIGMET—--Significant Meteorological Information

SIPRnet—--SECRET Internet Protocol Router Network

SME—--Subject Matter Expert

SMO—--Senior Meteorological and Oceanographic Officer

SOCOM—--Special Operations Command

SOF—--Supervisor of Flying

SOF—--Special Operations Forces

SOP—--Standard Operating Procedure

SOWT—--Special Operations Weather Team

SOW—--Statement of Work

SPEC/AMD—--Specification/Amendment

STINFO—--Scientific and Technical Information Officer

SWAP—--Severe Weather Action Plan

SWO—--Staff Weather Officer

SWPC—--Severe Weather Prediction Center

SWS—--Special Weather Statement

SYOS—--Systems Operations Squadron

TACC—--Tanker Airlift Control Center

TACOM—--Tactical Communications

TACMET—--Tactical Meteorological Equipment

TAF—--Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

TCTAP—-- Tropical Cyclone Threat Analysis Product

TDY—--Temporary Duty

TERREP—--Terrain Report

TF—--Task Force

TTPs—--Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures


U&TW—--Utilization and Training Workshop

USA—--United States Army

USAF—--United States Air Force

USASOC—--United States Army Special Operations Command

USD—--Undersecretary of Defense

USN—--United States Navy

USSTRATCOM—--United States Strategic Command

USTRANSCOM—--United States Transportation Command

VAAC—--Volcanic Ash Advisory Center

VFR—--Visual Flight Rules

VIPSAM—--Very Important Person Special Airlift Mission

WF—--Weather Flight

WHMO—--White House Military Office

WS—--Weather Squadron

WSSC—--Weather Systems Support Cadre

WST—--Weather Specialty Team

WWA—--Weather Warning and Weather Advisories

W-VAAC—--Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center

WXG—--Weather Group

Terms

Decision Cycles—Joint Operational Planning Process (JOPP), Military Decision Making

Process (MDMP), Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment, Intelligence

Preparation of the Battlespace (IPB), Operational Risk Management (ORM) process, and

Common Operating Picture (COP).

Battlefield Weather Airman—Air Force Weather 1W0X1 and 15WX personnel assigned to a

conventional Army support weather unit or any weather personnel with either the 1W0X2 or

15WXC AFSC.

Battlefield Weather Squadron—conventional army-support weather squadron.

Habitual Alignment—A documented standing support relationship between two organizations,

or personnel and an organization.

METWATCH—A deliberate process for monitoring the terrestrial weather or space

environment in an area or region. The purpose of a METWATCH is to identify when and where

observed conditions significantly diverge from forecast conditions and determine courses of

action to update or amend a forecast product or group of products and notify designated

agencies.


Military Operating Area Forecast—A forecast guidance product that provides the weather or

space environmental conditions for a specific area in which military operations are occurring.

Mission Execution Forecast (MEF)—Mission-tailored environmental information used in the

execution of a mission. MEFs describe the meteorological mission environment and concentrate

on environmental threats given specific operating thresholds. Where possible, courses of action

to mitigate these threats are offered. WFs and WSTs conduct deliberate forecast processes to

develop, deliver, monitor, and amend mission execution forecasts by fusing perishable data with

operational and strategic level weather forecast products.

Mission Integration—The ability to understand mission platforms, equipment, and systems

capabilities/sensitivities as well as mission processes (e.g., JOPP, MDMP, IPB, ORM, COP,

tactics, etc.) and inject the right information at the right time every time, enabling mitigation of

environmental threats as early as possible in the mission planning process, ultimately optimizing

mission execution.

Mission Profile—--describes a mission’s operating platform(s), route, flight level(s), weapons

systems, equipment, target(s), tactics/techniques/procedures (TTPs), and timing.

MISSIONWATCH—A deliberate process of monitoring terrestrial weather or the space

environment for specific mission-limiting environmental factors that may adversely impact

missions in execution. The MISSIONWATCH process is performed by WFs and WSTs and is

intended to identify previously unidentified environmental threats and alert decision-makers at

the operational unit and/or airborne mission commanders, enabling dynamic changes to mission

profiles that may mitigate the environmental threat and optimize the chance of mission success.

Mission Weather Product (MWP)—-Any weather product or group of weather products

generated by a WF or WST that is integrated into the military decision making process. MWPs

may be planning or execution products and are not limited to aviation missions.

Special Weather Statement (SWS)—An OWS notice to supported customers of meteorological

effects which could impact future operations. This notice is for situational awareness purposes

only and does not require action by supported customers.

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)—A coded weather bulletin providing forecast

information for an aerodrome complex to facilitate flight planning and command and control.

TAF products are formatted IAW AFMAN 15-124 and amended IAW procedures specified in

AFMAN 15-129.

Weather Advisory—A special weather product to alert an end user of the occurrence of, or

imminent occurrence of weather conditions impacting operations.

Weather Flight (WF)—Weather flights, detachments, and operating locations whose primary

purpose is to facilitate exploitation of the environment through integration at every step of the

operations planning and execution process. The WF may be located with the supported unit on

an Air Force base, Army post, remotely located in another weather unit, or at a deployed

location.

Weather Warning—A special weather product to facilitate resource protection decisions.

Weather Warnings alert designated agencies to the imminent or actual occurrence of weather

conditions of such intensity as to pose a hazard to life or property for which the agency must take

immediate protective actions.


Weather Watch—A special weather product to facilitate resource protection decisions. Weather

Watches provide advance notice to designated agencies of the existence of a potential for

weather conditions of such intensity as to pose a hazard to life or property for which the agency

should consider taking protective measures.


Attachment 1 (ACC)

GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION

References

AFDD 3-59, Weather Operations, 3 May 2006

AF Policy Directive 10-35, Battlefield Airmen, 4 February 2005

AFI 10-201, Status of Resources and Training, 13 April 2006

AFI 10-244, Reporting Status of Aerospace Expeditionary Forces, 12 September 2005

AFI 10-251, ACC Supplement, Air Force Participation in Joint Training Transformation

Initiative (JTTI) and Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) Events, 4 October 2011

AFI 10-255, Availability of Key HQ AF Personnel and Major Command Commanders, 27

September 2010

AFI 10-301, Responsibilities of Air Reserve Component (ARC) Forces, 16 August 2006

AFI 10-401, Air Force Operations Planning and Execution, 7 December 2006

AFI 10-403, Deployment Planning and Execution, 13 January 2008

AFI 11-202, Volume 3, General Flight Rules, 22 October 2010

AFI 11-410, Personnel Parachute Operations, 4 August 2008

AFI 15-114, Functional Resource and Weather Technical Performance Evaluation, 7 Dec 2001

AFI 15-127, Air Force Weather Training, 14 March 2012

AFI 15-180, ACC Supplement, Standardization and Evaluation Program for Weather (SEPWO),

27 April 2010

AFI 15-182, Weather Enterprise Capability Management, 19 April 2011

AFI 36-2201, Air Force Training Program, 15 September 2010

AFI 38-201, Manpower and Organization, 26 September 2011

AFI 65-601, Volume 1, Budget Guidance and Procedures, 3 Mar 2005

AFI 65-601, Volume 2, Budget Management for Operations, 21 Oct 1994


AFI 90-201, The Air Force Inspection System, 23 March 2012

AFI 36-2619, Military Personnel Appropriation (MPA) Man-Day Program, 22 July 1994

AFMAN 15-111, Surface Weather Observations, 10 March 2009

AFMAN 15-129, Volume 1, Air and Space Weather Operations – Characterization, 6 December

2011

AFMAN 15-129, Volume 2, Air and Space Weather Operations – Exploitation, 7 December

2011

AFMAN 23-110, USAF Supply Manual, 1 April 2009

AFMAN 33-363, Management of Records, 1 March 2008

AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication, 27 September 2009

Army Regulation 95-1, Flight Regulations, 12 November 2008

Army Regulation 115-10/AFI 15-157 (IP), Weather Support for the U.S. Army, 6 January 2010

Career Field Education and Training Plan for Air Force Specialty Code 1W0XX, Weather, 1

March 2009

HQ USAF Program Action Directive 06-05, Implementation of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force

Direction for Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), Air Support Operations Center (ASOC), and

Battlefield Weather (BW) Integration with the Modular Army, 20 March 2008

HQ USAF Program Action Directive 07-13, Implementation of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force

Direction to Transform and Consolidate Headquarters Management Function, 25 January 2008

ACCI 10-208, Continuity of Operations Program, 3 June 2008

FORSCOM Regulation 350-50-1 Appendix D, Weather Support, National Training Center, 1

July 2002

FORSCOM Regulation 350-50-2 Appendix W, Weather Support, Joint Readiness Training

Center, 15 June 2002

Memorandum of Agreement among the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and

Department of Transportation for Interagency Operation of the Weather Surveillance Radar-

1988, Doppler (WSR-88), 24 March 2008


Adopted Forms

AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication

Abbreviations and Acronyms

ACC—Air Combat Command

AFRIMS—Air Force Records Information Management System

ARFOR—Army Forces

ARFORGEN—Army Force Generation

BWT—Battlefield Weather Team

CAF—Combat Air Forces

CAT—Crisis Action Team

CCDR—Combatant Commander

FORSCOM—United States Army Forces Command

HQ 93 AGOW—Headquarters 93d Air Ground Operations Wing

HQ ACC/A1RR—ACC Manpower Readiness Branch

HQ ACC/A3—ACC Directorate of Operations

HQ ACC/A3W—ACC Weather Operations Division

HQ ACC/A3WC—ACC Weather Contingency and Readiness Branch

HQ ACC/A3WO—ACC Weather Operations, Plans, and Programs Branch

HQ ACC/A6C—ACC Warfighter Capabilities and Integration Division

HQ ACC/AOS—ACC Air Operations Squadron

HQ ACC/AOSW—ACC Air Operations Squadron Weather Flight

JFC—Joint Forces Commander

JMO—Joint METOC Officer


JNTC—Joint National Training Capability

JRTC—Joint Readiness Training Center

JTTI—Joint Training Transformation Initiative

METOC—Meteorological and Oceanographic

MCT—Mission Combat Training

MOI—Memorandum of Instruction

MPA—Military Personnel Appropriation

MTOE—Modified Table of Organization and Equipment

NTC—National Training Center

OPR—Office of Primary Responsibility

RDS—Records Disposition Schedule

SAV—Staff Assistance Visit

SEPWO—Standardization and Evaluation Program for Weather Operations

SMO—Senior METOC Officer

SOR—Statement of Requirement

TOE—Table of Organization and Equipment

USARCENT—United States Army Central

USARNORTH—United States Army North

USARSOUTH—United States Army South

UTA—UTC Availability

UTC—Unit Type Code

UTM—Unit Training Manager

Terms


Battlefield Weather—Air Force weather forces specially trained and equipped to execute

weather operations in the forward battlespace independent of an established airbase or its

perimeter defenses in support of Army combat operations.

Battlefield Weather Team—A team consisting of two or more battlefield weather Airmen that

is task organized to support conventional army operations.

Documents

BY ORDER OF THE AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 15-128 …static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/acc/publication/afi15-128... · air force instruction 15-128 7 february 2011 air combat command