AFWA's 1st Weather Group holds change of command

  • Published
  • By Ryan Hansen
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The Air Force Weather Agency's 1st Weather Group is under new leadership following a change of command ceremony here June 25.

Col. William Carle took command from Col. Kay Smith during the ceremony at AFWA's Chief Master Sgt. Peter Morris Auditorium.

Carle comes to the 1st WXG from the Pentagon where he was the federal programs and interagency coordination, directorate of operations and training deputy as well as operations, plans and requirements deputy chief of staff.

"It's really a great feeling to be here, and I cannot express how honored, humbled and blessed I am to be part of this unit," he said. "Col. Smith is leaving the group and squadron in fantastic shape ... and I know I have big shoes to fill."

Col. Louis Zuccarello, AFWA commander, presided over the ceremony and said Carle was an excellent selection to lead the 1st WXG.

"If you look through (Col. Carle's) career, he is well-suited to take on the duties of the 1st WXG," he said. "He's got a lot of special ops experience, he's been an operational weather squadron commander, served on the air staff, and we look forward to all he's going to do to keep this group moving forward."

The mission of the 1st WXG is to align stateside weather operations with the Air Force warfighting initiative overseeing operational weather squadrons. This group of more than 500 members is also responsible for producing forecasts for more than 350 Air Force, Army, Reserve and Guard installations throughout North America.

"The mission is important, but it's the people that make it all work," Carle said. "I look forward to continuing the successes that Col. Smith has established during her tenure and maintaining the right environment for our Airmen to succeed."

The 1st WXG is also charged with training more than 60 percent of all new weather professionals - both enlisted and officers.

"Our mission is to build the finest Air Force weather Airmen," Carle said, "and we will continue to do that."

Smith moves to Maxwell AFB, Ala., where she will serve as the dean of students at Air War College. She praised the teamwork and effort of those within the group and said it is in good hands under Carle.

"(Col. Carle) is taking command of a world-class organization and perhaps the best job in Air Force Weather," she said. "I am confident he will do well."