Operational Weather Squadrons conduct weather operations in support of Total Force Army and Air Force operations covering a specified geographical region of the world. Weather officers and enlisted weather technicians operate around the clock to provide installation forecasts, aviation hazard decision aids, flight weather briefings, and weather advisories, watches and warnings.
These regional weather 'hubs' are responsible for producing base or post forecasts, developing weather decision aids, briefing aircrews, and issuing weather advisories, watches and warnings for all units in their geographical area. Using automated observing systems located at most major installations and communicating with base or post weather flights, the squadron is able to 'forecast' the weather for the entire area of responsibility from one central location.
The 15th Operational Weather Squadron is located at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois and is the lead unit responsible for environmental characterization, impacts and effects in the Arctic Circle, as well as for providing 24/7 premier terrestrial and atmospheric environmental intelligence for Air Force, Army, Guard, Reserve and combatant command forces. The 15 OWS provides uninterrupted information and services to enable command and control of homeland Air Defense activities in the 1st Air Force's Air Defense sectors. Additionally, the 15 OWS is responsible for DoD worldwide aviation weather hazard products, as well as, the primary backup site for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Aviation Weather Center and Storm Prediction Center. Moreover, the 15 OWS generates ready Airmen that are highly capable of providing airfield weather services and staff/installation integration in a deployed environment.
(Current as of August 2022)