Air Force Weather Agency Mission The mission of Air Force Weather Agency is to maximize America's power through the exploitation of timely, accurate and relevant weather information; anytime, everywhere. AFWA is a Field Operating Agency, reporting to United States Air Force Director of Weather, Deputy Chief of Staff Air and Space Operations (USAF/A3O-W). Personnel and Resources AFWA manning consists of more than 1,400 active duty, reserve, civilian and contract personnel and is headquartered on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. AFWA executes a $175 million annual budget including more than $90 million in operations and maintenance. Organization AFWA is organized into a headquarters element, consisting of staff agencies, two groups, four directorates, a subordinate center, and five solar observatories. The 1st Weather Group (1 WXG), with Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., includes three operational weather squadrons responsible for providing around-the-clock analyses, forecasts, warnings, and aircrew mission briefings to Air Force, Army, Guard, and Reserve forces operating at 350 installations throughout the continental United States. Each OWS has a specified geographical area of responsibility: the15th OWS, located at Scott Air Force Base Ill, is responsible for the northern and Northeast United States; 25th OWS, located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., is responsible for the western United States; and 26th OWS, located at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., is responsible for the southern United States. These squadrons also provide initial qualification and upgrade training for new apprentice forecasters and weather officers. The 2nd Weather Group (2nd WXG) delivers timely, relevant and specialized terrestrial, space and climatological global environmental intelligence to Joint warfighters, DoD decision-makers, national agencies, and allied nations for the planning and execution of missions across the complete spectrum of military operations through the operation, sustainment and maintenance of Air Force Weather's $277M strategic center computer complex, production network, and applications. The 2nd WXG is comprised of the 2nd Systems Operations Squadron and 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt, plus the 2nd Combat Weather Systems Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and the 14th Weather Squadron in Asheville, N.C. There are also four solar observatories that also fall under the 2nd WXG: Det. 1, Learmonth, Australia; Det. 2, Sagamore Hill, Mass.; Det. 4, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.; and Det. 5, Palehua, Hawaii. The Operations Training and Evaluation Directorate (A3) provides a heads-up display of the Air Force Weather Weapon System that strengthens AFWA's ability to conduct weather ops and supports worldwide DoD operations. They also delivers state-of-the-art technical training for the career field, oversees the development of career field training plans and computer-based tutorials on new equipment, is constructing the first formal AFWWS TTP, and coordinates standardization and evaluation visits of AFWA units. The Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs Directorate (A5/8) directs AFWWS capabilities-based requirements development and life-cycle planning, sustainment, and resource management. They develop the long term strategic plan; perform requirements generation, analysis, and documentation; performs lead command or program management for acquisitions; directs operational testing; and coordinates fielding and sustainment of the family of systems that comprise the Air Force weather weapon system. The Communications Directorate (A6) provides overall direction for and oversees command, control, communications and computer systems and coordinated operational and maintenance policy, management and resource allocation for the AFWWS. They develop and manage enterprise information management, command records management, publishing and FOIA/Privacy Act program management. Responsibility for Information Assurance ensuring action to protect and defend information systems by ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability are appropriately applied. In addition, they perform the Communications-Computer systems Integration function to include the Air Force C4 planning and architecture process. They are responsible for IT consultancy and advocacy across the AFWA staff. They establish information infrastructure, sets strategic direction and priorities, and identifies common program goals and requirements. History AFWA traces its heritage to the organization of the Meteorological Service of the Signal Corps during World War I. On July 1, 1937, the Secretary of War transferred responsibility for weather services to the Army Air Corps. The official lineage of AFWA began April 14, 1943, when the Army Air Forces organized and activated the Weather Wing, which quickly established itself at Asheville, N.C. In 1945, the Army Air Forces redesignated the Weather Wing the Army Air Forces Weather Service and in early 1946, the service moved to Langley Field, Va. On March 13, 1946, it was redesignated the Air Weather Service and assigned to the Air Transport Command, followed soon thereafter with a move to Gravelly Point, Va. With the formation of the United States Air Force in 1947, Air Weather Service assumed the responsibility of worldwide weather reporting and forecasting for both the Air Force and the Army. In 1948, Air Weather Service moved to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and was assigned to the newly activated Military Air Transport Service, which was later redesignated Military Airlift Command. Air Weather Service relocated to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., in 1958, where it remained for nearly four decades. The Air Force designated Air Weather Service a Field Operating Agency and re-assigned it to Headquarters United States Air Force, in 1991. On Oct. 15, 1997, Air Weather Service was redesignated the Air Force Weather Agency and relocated to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Awards and Honors 2000 Air Force Association Theodore Van Karman Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award May 1, 1984 - Apr. 30, 1986; May 1, 1986 - Apr. 30, 1988; Sep. 1, 1993 - Sep. 30, 1995; Oct. 1, 1995 - Sep. 30, 1996; Sep. 1, 1996 - Sep. 30, 1998; Oct.1, 1998 - Sep. 30, 1999; Oct. 1, 1999 - Sep. 30, 2001; Oct. 1, 2001 - Sep. 30, 2003 World War II American Theater Service Streamer