OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 2d Combat Weather Systems Squadron located at Hurlburt Field, Florida, welcomed a new commander on June 18, 2021.
Maj. Gary Charney assumed command of 2 CWSS.
“I am very excited to lead this organization,” Charney said. “From the Detachment 4 days in 1995 and through the activation of this squadron in 2010, 2 CWSS has created a legacy of honor, excellence and teamwork.”
The 2 CWSS consists of 50 personnel from seven career fields that are aligned under two flights with three distinct mission sets: weather systems test and evaluation, deployed weather systems support, and weather systems training. The 2 CWSS tests and evaluates both emerging and established weather technologies to inform global, regional and tactical sensing strategies and enable strategic fielding decisions.
“One of my former commanders, Lt. Gen. Austin Miller, once said, ‘We are what our nation needs us to be,’” Charney said. “A reminder that we are not defined by the equipment we possess or missions we routinely face, but rather a capability to critically think through problems and emerge victoriously.”
The 2 CWSS team develops tactics, techniques, and procedures to properly employ and maintain the entire Air Force inventory of fixed-base and tactical weather systems. Additionally, 2 CWSS is the sole force provider of the Weather Systems Support Cadre, which deploys mobile maintenance teams to maintain the geographic combatant commanders’ theater weather sensing strategies during contingency operations. They also conduct the Deployed Weather Systems Training course where they teach joint meteorological and oceanographic personnel how to set up and maintain deployed weather systems to maximize warfighter capabilities.
“Over the last two years this organization has flawlessly executed its mission,” said Col. Michael Marsicek, 2nd Weather Group commander. “This squadron stands unparalleled in development, operation and maintenance of critical weather and information warfare systems delivering environmental intelligence to the sensing grid and senior decision makers. I think that [Maj. Charney] is eminently qualified to lead this squadron.”
Marsicek took time during his speech to recognize Charney’s family.
“It is often the spouse who makes some of the greatest sacrifices as we move around in the military and that sacrifice extends to your children,” Marsicek said. “So I thank you, Tiffany, and your children for agreeing to embark on this next step in Gary’s career.”