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 26th Operational Weather Squadron is located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and is responsible for producing timely, accurate, and uninterrupted terrestrial and electromagnetic forecasts and planning tools for the Air Force, Space Force, Army, Guard, Reserve, and combatant command forces. It specializes in characterizing environmental impacts and effects within the US Africa Command Area of Responsibility. 26 OWS Airmen are trained and equipped to provide both airfield and air and space operations center weather services by infusing critical thinking with thorough environmental impact knowledge, maximizing Combatant Commanders ability to counter transnational and near-peer threats and respond to crisis. Additionally, the 26 OWS is the lead meteorological production unit for Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean hurricanes; ready to provide rapid response forecasts for any humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts when activated by USNORTHCOM.
(Current as of August 2022)