United States Air Force Special Operations Weather Technician

Special Operations Weather Team (SOWT) (AFSC 1W0X2) specialists are tactical observer/forecasters with ground combat capabilities and fall under the 720th Special Tactics Group within the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The mission of a Special Operations Weather Team Specialist is to deploy by the most feasible means available into combat and non-permissive environments to collect and interpret meteorological data and provide air and ground forces commanders with timely, accurate intelligence. They collect data, assist mission planning, generate accurate and mission-tailored target and route forecasts in support of global special operations, conduct special weather reconnaissance and train foreign national forces. SOWTs provide vital intelligence and deploy with joint air and ground forces in support of direct action, counter-terrorism, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance, special reconnaissance, austere airfield, and combat search and rescue.

History
During World War II, Air Force's combat weathermen supported the American effort against the Japanese in the China-Burma-India theater of operations. They also participated in the European theater at Normandy Beach, France; and in the Netherlands and Yugoslavia.

The 10th Weather Squadron reactivated at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, to conduct combat weather operations in Southeast Asia on 16 June 1966. The squadron trained indigenous weather personnel and set up the clandestine weather observation networks throughout Southeast Asia. The 10th Weather Squadron played an important part in the raid on the Son Tay POW camp (a.k.a. Operation Ivory Coast) of 1970. The mission was planned around advanced weather reconnaissance by the 10th WS. It has been reported that elements of the 10th WS also conducted on-the-ground weather reconnaissance in areas along the Ho Chi Minh trail in support of covert air interdiction, strafing, and armed reconnaissance missions against the communist Viet Cong guerillas & North Vietnamese Army soldiers that used the trail.

Special operations weathermen have directly participated in the majority of modern special operations contingency operations since Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. invasion of Grenada working with other special operations and conventional forces. These recent successes include operations Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Task Force Ranger operations in Somalia, Uphold Democracy in Haiti, operations in Bosnia and counter narcotics operations in South America, as well as ongoing operations in support of Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Special operations weathermen were not included in the failed US embassy hostage rescue attempt in Iran in 1980, known as Operation Eagle Claw. A report by the Holloway Commission, formed to examine what went wrong with the mission, pointed out that the lack of weather intelligence personnel on the ground was one of the key factors in the mission failure.


 * 15 May 1942—Parachute School is established at Fort Benning, Georgia. It is a three-week course students attend en route to their duty assignment.
 * 24 June 1942—Combat weathermen support the American effort against the Japanese in the China-Burma-India theater of operations.
 * June 1944—Combat weathermen see action during World War II at Normandy Beach, France; and, in the Netherlands and Yugoslavia.
 * 16 June 1966—The 10th Weather Squadron is reactivated at Udon Airfield, Thailand, to conduct combat weather operations in Southeast Asia. The squadron is responsible for training indigenous weather personnel and setting up the clandestine weather observation networks throughout Southeast Asia.
 * November 1971—Personnel from the 10th WS are key players in many successful special operations including the highly weather dependent Son Tay Raid. Timing for the Son Tay Raid was advanced by 24 hours based on the three-day forecast. Weather support personnel successfully forecast the only 12 hours of "go" conditions during a 38-day period.

Training
Special operations weathermen are among the most highly trained personnel in the U.S. military. They maintain the same weather weapon system qualifications as all Air Force weathermen in addition to advanced special tactics skills. Their 2.5 to 3 years of training and unique mission skills earn them the grey beret. Previously, only those who were already in a weather-related specialty were recruited for training, but on 5 May 2008, the Air Force approved the establishment of a new Air Force Specialty Code for Special Operations Weather, formally recognizing their commitment to deploy into restricted environments by air, land or sea to conduct weather operations, observe and analyze all weather data and environmental intelligence.

Initial Training
This course focuses on sports physiology, nutrition, basic exercises, special operations weather history and fundamentals.
 * Special Operations Weather Selection Course, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas (two weeks)

This course prepares special operations weather apprentices. Training includes basic, intermediate, and advanced meteorology, report writing and computer usage. Other topics include satellite meteorology, weather chart analysis, weather radar, weather products, tropical meteorology, synoptic level analytical meteorology, weather prognosis techniques, forecasting weather elements to include severe weather, synoptic lab, forecasting lab, and a unit on the weather career field and weather equipment. Additionally, this time is also used to train students physically and mentally for the rigors of the rest of their pipeline. Students train alongside combat controllers to develop the team mindset they will use during their career.
 * Special Operations Weather Initial Skills Course, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi (30 weeks)

Trainees learn the basic parachuting skills required to infiltrate an objective area by static line airdrop.
 * Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia (three weeks)

This course teaches basic survival techniques for remote areas. Instruction includes principles, procedures, equipment and techniques, which enable individuals to survive, regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly environments and return home.
 * Air Force Basic Survival School, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (2.5 weeks)

This two-day course teaches principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment that enhance the ability to survive in a water environment and return to friendly control.
 * Air Force Water Survival Training, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (two days)

This course teaches the principles, procedures, and techniques necessary to successfully egress from a sinking aircraft. Experiencing water entry and performing underwater egress is part of the training.
 * Air Force Underwater Egress Training, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (one day)

This 13-week course provides final special operations weather qualifications. Training includes physical training, austere weather operations, tactical weather observations, small unit tactics, land navigation, communications, demolitions, and field operations including parachuting. Upon completing the course graduates are awarded a 3-skill level (apprentice), gray beret and SOWT crest.
 * Special Operations Weather Apprentice Course (Combat Control School), Pope Field, North Carolina (13 weeks)

This four phase course, formal training, core tasks, employment readiness training, and operational readiness training, produces operators ready for deployment as special operations weathermen
 * Special Tactics Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida (12–15 months)

The following is a list of schools which are available to certain SOWT candidates based upon the needs of their unit and the Air Force: Riverine Assessment, Avalanche Survival Training, Military Freefall (HALO/HAHO), SCUBA
 * Core Training Available During Operational Duty

Mission
Special Operations Weathermen are U.S. Air Force meteorologists with unique training to operate in hostile or denied territory. They gather, assess, and interpret weather and environmental intelligence from forward deployed locations, working primarily with Air Force and Army Special Operations Forces. SOWTs can also be attached to Marine MARSOC and Navy SEAL teams. They collect weather, ocean, river, snow and terrain intelligence, assist mission planning, generate accurate mission-tailored target and route forecasts in support of global special operations and train joint force members and coalition partners to take and communicate limited weather observations. Additionally, Special Operations Weathermen conduct special reconnaissance, collect upper air data, organize, establish and maintain weather data reporting networks, determine host nation meteorological capabilities and train foreign national forces. Every Special Operations Forces mission is planned using the intelligence and coordination of special operations weathermen.