1st Weather Group

Infobox OWS
name = 1^st Weather Group

---

caption = 1^st Weather Group Patch
Loc = Offutt AFB, Nebraska
CC = Air Force Weather Agency, Offutt AFB, Nebraska
AOR = CONUS

$400 Billion">
PP = >400,000
TAF = n/a
FWB = n/a
Misc1: = Total Locations
M1 = 348
Misc2: = Members in organization
M2 = 610

The 1st Weather Group aligns stateside weather operations with the Air Force warfighting initiative overseeing operational weather squadrons; the 9th OWS at Shaw AFB, S.C., the 15th OWS at Scott AFB, Ill.; the 25th OWS at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; and the 26th OWS at Barksdale AFB, La. The 1st Weather Group is under the Air Force Weather Agency or commonly referred to as AFWA.

Mission

The 1st Weather Groups mission statement is as follows:

”Provide accurate, timely, and relevant weather analyses, forecasts, warnings and briefings to Air Force, Army, Guard, Reserve, and Combatant Command forces operating in the continental United States"

”Provide initial qualification and up-grade training for weather forecaster apprentices and new weather officers.”

Personnel and resources

The newly reactivated group increases the Agency's worldwide organizational force to more than 1,400 professionals. 1st Weather Groups manning consists of active duty, reserve, civilian and contract personnel and is headquartered on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. under AFWA.

Organization

1st Weather Group is organized into four continental United States squadrons. Each of the four squadrons produces forecasts for a specified area of the United States. The squadrons also serve as training hubs for new weather professionals - both enlisted and officers. The 1 WXG arms our weather professionals with the training and skills necessary to deliver environmental intelligence for commanders and military decision makers.

By aligning stateside weather operations with the Air Force warfighting initiative, Air Force weather is creating a more efficient and effective organizational structure to support the mission and the warfighter.

Subordinate units

9th Operational Weather Squadron, Shaw AFB, SC. – more than 66 installations/sites in a 4-state region of the southeastern United States.

15th Operational Weather Squadron, Scott AFB, IL. – more than 130 military installations and sites across a 24-state region of the northeastern United States.

25th Operational Weather Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. – more than 68 installations/sites in a 11-state region of the western United States.

26th Operational Weather Squadron Barksdale AFB, LA. – more than 84 installations/sites in a 9-state region of the south central United States.

History

The 1st Weather Group has a long and proud heritage starting as the Far East Air Forces Weather Group in October 1944. In September 1945, the 1st WXG was assigned to the 43rd Weather Wing and later that year to the Headquarters Army Air Forces Weather Service. They were deactivated in 1948, and reactivated and assigned to the Air Weather Service at Offutt AFB through the Military Air Transport Service from 1952 to 1956, after which they were again deactivated. The group reactivated once again under the 1st Weather Wing from 1966 to 1972 at Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam. The most recent period of activation was at Fort McPherson, Ga., from 1992 to 1994 under the Air Combat Command.

The Group was distinguished with service and campaign streamers from World War II and Vietnam. They also earned four outstanding unit award's and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

The realignment began with the reactivation of the 1st Weather Group, at Offutt AFB, Neb., May 25. The 1st WXG continues its long and decorated history of providing weather products and service to Air Force and Army units, and is now part of the Air Force Weather Agency.

The 15th Operational Weather Squadron, Scott AFB, Ill., was the first of the four OWSs to re-align under the newly formed 1st WXG during a ceremony May 25, 2006. The 26th OWS was realigned at Barksdale AFB, Jun. 22, 2006. Next, was the 25th OWS at Davis-Monthan on July 6, 2006, and the last addition to the team was the 9th OWS which was re-activated on Jul. 20, 2006 at Shaw AFB.

References

* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5086 Official factsheet]
* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5097 9OWS Factsheet]
* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5093 15OWS Factsheet]
* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5094 25OWS Factsheet]

External links

* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/ Official website]
* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5086 Official factsheet]
* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123030284 Informational Article]
* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5097 9OWS Factsheet]
* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5093 15OWS Factsheet]
* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5094 25OWS Factsheet]
* [http://www.afweather.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5095 26OWS Factsheet]