1. Special Operations Weather
Maj Charles Cunningham
Chief, Ops & Training, Weather Division, AFSOC HQ

2. Overview Air Force Weather Architecture History
Atmospheric & Environmental Operations
Special Operations Weather Capabilities

3. Air Force Weather Agency Organization Structure
1400 Personnel
14 GSUs
1st Weather Group
Offutt AFB
A – Staff
Offutt AFB
2nd Weather Group
Offutt AFB
15th OWS
Scott AFB, IL
AFWA is a field operating agency of the United States Air Force. The commander gets direction from the Director of Weather in the Pentagon. AFWA is composed of three main components:
- The Lead Command staff, whose main focus is on the Air Force Weather Weapon System.
- The 1st Weather Group, whose focus is on CONUS terrestrial weather operations.
- The 2nd Weather Group, whose primary focus is on global space and terrestrial weather operations.
AFWA provides total and complete environmental and situational awareness on a regular basis. AFWA's operational units are responsible for operating their parts of the AFWWS. They carry out weather operations 24/7/365 by collecting, analyzing, and predicting weather data, then ensuring that the right information is tailored to meet specific warfighter needs and rapidly integrated into decision making from the battlefield to the National Command Authority level.
25th OWS
D-M AFB, AZ
2nd WS
Offutt AFB
2nd SYOS
Offutt AFB
26th OWS
Barksdale AFB, LA
14th WS
Asheville, NC
AF Combat
Weather Center
Hurlburt Fld, FL

4. Operational Weather Squadron Geographic Alignment

5. AFSOC Weather Forces Organization
A31/A3W
(4/3/1)
23 WS (2/22/7)
623 AOC
(0/1/0)
24 SOW Hurlburt Field
1 SOW Hurlburt Field
27 SOW Cannon AFB
353 SOG Kadena AB
720 STG Hurlburt Field
352 SOG RAF Mildenhall
1 SOSS (3/17/1)
3 SOS Nellis AFB (0/6/0)
27 SOSS (1/12/1)
352 OSS (1/7/0)
320 STS (0/4/0)
10 CWS
(2/31/0)
720 OSS
(0/5/0)
24 STS Pope AFB
(0/14/0)
321 STS
(0/4/0)
352 OSS (1/9/0)
ANG
DET 1 Cannon AFB (0/2/0)
OL-A Creech AFB (0/2/0)
OL-A
Ft Lewis
(1/1/0)
DET 2
Ft Campbell
(2/12/0)
OL-B
Ft Carson
(1/1/0)
OL-C
Ft Benning
(1/1/0)
OL-D
Ft Bragg
(1/1/0)
107 WF
Selfridge MI
(4/14/0)
123 STS
Louisville, KY
(0/6/0)
AFSOC weather forces operate with AF and Army Special Operations Forces (SOF). AFSOC weather personnel are aligned under 1 SOG, 27 SOG, 352 SOG, 353 SOG and 720 STG. Weather forces operating with units of the Army Special Operations Command are assigned to the 10 CWS in CONUS, and the SOGs’ special tactics squadrons OCONUS. Units highlighted in green consist of Special Ops Wx Team personnel and those in blue, primarily conduct AF SOF operations.
AF SOF: 1 SOW, 27 SOW, 352 SOG, and 353 SOG Special Operations Weather Teams (SOWT). Provide 24-hr command/staff briefing, mission planning, forecasting/crew briefing and observing support to the supported AFSOC/AFSOD, determine weather data requirements, and provide climatology data for pre-mission planning. The AFSOC SOWT collects, tailors, and relays weather data to sub elements within the AFSOC’s AO and coordinates/interfaces with the Theater Forecast Unit, SOC, SFOB, FOB, and NSWTG for required weather support.
ARSOF: 720 STG, 10 CWS, 320/1 STS SOWTs. ARSOF SOWTs provide weather support for an Army Special Forces Group (SFG (A)) Headquarters Element at a Special Forces Operating Base (SFOB). Includes command/staff briefings, 24-hr forecasting, and aperiodic observing at the SFOB. Provide tailored weather products and advisories for the SFOB AO. Train Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) and indigenous personnel in taking and communicating aperiodic weather observations and perform other functions as directed by the US Army Special Operations Command (SOC) Staff Weather Officer (SWO). Has capability to parachute elements into the SFOB AO. Provide weather briefings for Operational Detachments in isolation at SFOB level. Provide support/guidance/tasking for Forward Operating Base (FOB) weather teams.
SOWTs for FOB. Provide weather support to an SFG(A) Battalion Headquarters Element at an FOB. Includes limited NCO staff weather support, 24-hr forecasting, and aperiodic observations at the FOB. Provide tailored weather products and advisories for the FOB AO. Trains Army special forces and indigenous personnel in taking and communicating aperiodic weather observations and perform other functions as directed by the SOC or SFG SWO. Has capability to parachute elements into the FOB AO.
SOWTs attached to Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Provide weather support to an Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) Headquarters Element and Battalion Headquarters Elements at FOBs. Support includes 24-hour SWO, aviation forecasting and observing.
SOWTs attached to Army Ranger Regiment. Provide weather support to an Army Ranger Regiment (RGR) Headquarters Element. Includes SWO support, 24-hour forecasting, and aperiodic observing at the RGR tactical operations center. Provide tailored weather products and advisories for the RGR AO. Trains Army RGR forces and indigenous personnel in taking and communicating weather observations and perform other functions as directed by the USASOC SWO.
OL-A
Hunter AAF
(0/2/0)
OL-E
Duke FLD
(1/1/0)
146 WF
Corapolis, PA
(3/11/0)
125 STS
Portland, OR
(0/5/0)
AD Manpower
OFF ENL CIV TOT
SOWT
181 WF
Ft Worth, TX
(4/14/0)
“Slick” Wx

6. Historical WWII and the Office of Strategic Services
OSS trained 36 volunteers from the 19th WS: parachuting, close quarters combat, escape and evasion, advanced weapons
Six 3-man teams parachuted into Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia
SOWT predecessors operated with OSS in China-Burma-India theater
Southeast Asia: Capt Keith Grimes
Provided forward air controller training to Laotians at remote outposts; told Ambassador William Sullivan: I can establish wx data network
Trained and advised over 1000 Laotians to collect and transmit weather observations from remote jungle areas
Established 29 “Lima” sites across mountainous/jungle terrain
Similar networks established in Thailand, Cambodia, South Vietnam
Son Tay Raid

7. Recent Operations Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Collected first in weather and environmental data
SOWT and sensors established largest, most robust weather network since early 1960s Laos
Operation Iraqi Freedom
SOWT inside Iraq before open hostilities; some of the first in Iraq
Expanded on successes of OEF; even more forward-deployed SOWT and sensors, helped opened numerous airfields across Iraq
20,000+ forward weather observations in OEF (2009)
Tactical environmental reports steered 12 HA/CA projects valued at over $30M
During th CWS SOWT conducted ~280 combat recon patrols; 70+ TICs; 55-60x EKIA
Since early 2007, SOWT have collected/produced 345 TERREPs

8. Environmental Reconnaissance (Terrain) Aviation Weather (FSB/FAARP)
SOWT Mission Areas
Environmental Reconnaissance (Terrain)
Forward Weather Observing
Avalanche / Snow Pack
Aviation Weather (FSB/FAARP)
Limited Data Weather Forecasting
Riverine / Surf Zone
SUAS

9. Atmospheric Operations
Weather Observing
Weather Forecasting
Operational Planning

10. Environmental Operations
Avalanche Forecasting
Riverine Operations
Environmental Reconnaissance
Terrain Reporting

11. Terrain Reports

12. SOWT Tactical Capabilities
Support both time-sensitive and longer-term, sustained ops
Critical determination for aviation operations: CAS, Infiltration, and MedEvac
M4, M9, Mk19, Mk47, M249, M2 weapons qualifications
Battlefield trauma care
Fixed wing low/high altitude parachute insertion
Rotary wing insertion (fast rope, helo-cast)
Communications (SAT, UHF, VHF, FM)
Tactical pilot to metro service
Breaching / Demolition
Close quarters battle
Small boat operations
Small UAV systems with RSTA kit

13. Summary Air Force Weather Architecture History
Atmospheric & Environmental Operations
Special Operations Weather Capabilities

14. Questions?