Air Force Weather

• Journeyman AFSC 1W051A
• Craftsman AFSC 1W071A
• Superintendent AFSC 1W091

3.2. Journeyman, 5-Skill Level. After successful upgrade to the 5-level, individuals are qualified for worldwide assignment including airborne and Special Operations duty. Journeymen are typically assigned to CWTs/space environment sites, OWSs, and Field Operating Agencies/Strategic Centers. They perform a wide range of duties depending on unit of assignment. Journeymen begin to serve as trainers and supervisors in addition to performing the technical tasks of the career field. Journeymen exploit training opportunities and continue to refine their technical skills. They enter continuation training to broaden their technical expertise and will complete Airman Leadership School prior to assuming the grade of SSgt. Journeymen should strive to complete the academic requirements for a CCAF Associate Degree in Applied Weather Technology. Journeymen are entered into 7-skill level upgrade on the first day of the promotion cycle following their selection for SSgt. (Reserve Component Journeymen are entered into upgrade training status upon assuming the grade of SSgt).

3.2.2. Journeymen receiving assignment to a CWT must complete the in-residence CWTOC prior to initial assignment to one of these units. If assigned to an Army unit, journeymen must attend the Army Staff Weather Officer Course. (Exception: National Guard personnel receive CWT training at the ANG WRTC at Camp Blanding, FL). Journeymen assigned to a CWT observe, collect and analyze atmospheric and space environmental data and predict future conditions. They provide tailored weather analyses, forecasts and predictions of mission impact to enhance the effectiveness of military operations and training. They apply their knowledge of weapons systems, tactics, and weather sensitivities to enable commanders to mitigate and exploit the impact of environmental conditions. Journeymen operate atmospheric and space weather equipment and monitor specific parameters affecting military operating areas, ranges, and routes. Journeymen forecast local area and mesoscale weather features and alert decision-makers of severe weather potential. They prepare and deliver briefings and provide mission execution forecasts to aircrews and weapons system operators. They develop proficiency in basic combat field skills, including tactical weather and communications equipment operation and operator maintenance. They maintain readiness and deploy in support of war fighter operations. Journeymen assigned to Airborne and Special Operations units receive additional mission-specific training and experience. 11

3.3. Craftsman, 7-Skill Level. After successful upgrade to the 7-level, Craftsmen assume increasing supervisory and management responsibilities in addition to performing the technical tasks of the career field. They may be assigned worldwide to any organizational level, to include MAJCOM and higher headquarters staff positions. They provide technical leadership to subordinates and ensure they meet Air Force standards. They manage and adapt the use of weather resources to meet mission requirements. Craftsmen schedule personnel for routine duties, severe weather duties, mission standby, and training. They assume a vital mentorship responsibility and provide a clear vision of career choices and progression to enlisted weather personnel. Craftsmen increase technical expertise through job experience, OJT and QTPs. Craftsmen complete formal continuation training courses as needed to perform their duties. When selected for promotion to TSgt, Craftsmen are eligible to attend the NCO Academy, and must do so before assuming the grade of MSgt. Upon selection for promotion to the MSgt, members may attend a local or command senior NCO orientation course. MSgts are eligible to attend the SNCO Academy, and must do so before assuming the grade of CMSgt. Continued academic education through CCAF and civilian institutions is encouraged. Enlisted personnel with a Bachelor's Degree may be eligible to compete for a slot in the Air Force Institute of Technology Master's Degree program.

3.3.1. Craftsmen assigned to an OWS or strategic center manage weather operations and supervise Journeymen in the performance of their duties. They are fully qualified to perform all the duties of Journeymen. They typically are assigned as element and flight NCOICs and lead synopticians on the operations floor, or as NCOIC of a training flight. They provide leadership and supervision to ensure effective operations and training. They assist flight commanders in planning and executing mission support. They plan and schedule training events and career development opportunities for subordinates. Craftsmen assigned to a strategic center may also develop and distribute training resources, manage and execute programs, or perform environmental and climatological studies.

3.3.2. Craftsmen assigned to a CWT are fully qualified to perform all the duties of Journeymen and to supervise Journeymen in the performance of their duties. Craftsmen manage a variety of weather operations and resources. They tailor unit capabilities to meet the needs of military operations, and communicate those capabilities to supported customers. They develop subordinates and provide or schedule training for assigned personnel. They maintain readiness and deploy in support of war fighter operations. Craftsmen assigned to Airborne and Special Operations units receive additional mission-specific training and experience.

3.3.3. Craftsmen may be assigned to staff positions at MAJCOMs or equivalent organizations (e.g., Field Operating Agencies and Major Army Commands) and to Headquarters U. S. Air Force. In this capacity, they normally manage programs to ensure current and future capability to meet Air Force and DoD requirements. They organize, train and equip weather forces and tailor resources and capabilities to support combatant commanders.

3.4. Superintendent, 9-Skill Level. Upon promotion to SMSgt, individuals are eligible for upgrade to the 9-skill level and may fill Superintendent positions. Superintendents perform a broad range of supervisory and management duties and may be assigned worldwide to large base-level organizations and to MAJCOM and higher headquarters staff positions. They provide leadership, technical oversight and functional management, and supervise Craftsmen and Journeymen. They formulate and apply tactics, techniques and procedures to exploit unit capabilities, and they communicate those capabilities to supported customers. They interact with other senior NCOs and represent their organization to base agencies. They acquire and manage resources, and adapt operations to meet mission requirements. They oversee the scheduling of personnel, operations and facilities. They develop leadership and management skills in subordinate personnel, and ensure compliance with AF standards. Superintendents assume a vital mentorship responsibility, train subordinates in the art of mentorship, and provide a clear vision of career choices and progression to enlisted personnel. Superintendents assigned to MAJCOMs and higher organizations manage programs to ensure current and future capability to meet Air Force and DoD requirements. They organize, train and equip weather forces and tailor resources and capabilities for combatant commanders. Superintendents increase their expertise through job experience and by utilizing all available training resources. They develop skills that contribute to effective coordination, allocation of resources and tailoring of weather operations to meet mission requirements. Courses in areas such as budget, manpower, resources, information technology and personnel management are useful. SMSgts are eligible to attend the SNCO Academy, and must do so before assuming the grade of CMSgt. Additional higher education is encouraged. Note: See CFETP 1W0X1A for additional information.

AIRBORNE WEATHER JOB/DUTY DESCRIPTIONS

JOB DESCRIPTION -- AIRBORNE WEATHER OFFICER:

A parachute-qualified weather officer capable of providing staff weather officer support to US Army Airborne units, and other coalition forces. Responsible to provide and coordinate all environmental support to these units. Acts as officer in charge of a Combat Weather Team (CWT). Responsible for all team training, planning, deployments, and budgets.

DUTIES OF THE AIRBORNE WEATHER OFFICER:

Maintain fully qualified 15W3 status.

Plan and coordinate joint and unilateral weather team training exercises.

Maintain weather team's and member's airborne proficiency.

Act as the central point of contact for the test and evaluation of new weather team tactical weather, communication, and field equipment. Identify and program formal school training for weather team members.

Establish contingency weather support packages in support of unit contingency commitments to include climatology, Support Assistance Request, and Communications.

Establish exercise objectives and goals.

Conduct liaison, pre-exercise planning, with other forces and with other weather units to affect coordinated weather support.

Plan and program weather team equipment replacement and upgrade meteorological equipment, tactical communications, and field equipment.

Understand internal operations procedures and function of deployed headquarters elements, tactical units, and joint headquarters of supported unit and its higher headquarters.

Know basic tactics and weather limitations/sensitivities of supported customer and assets. Responsible for all weather team's operations.

Establish support requirements and weather communication between central forecast production facilities and non-US environmental services.

JOB DESCRIPTION -- AIRBORNE WEATHER TECHNICIAN:

A parachute dual-qualified weather forecaster and observer capable of providing environmental observing and forecasting support to US Army Airborne units, and other coalition forces. Operates with US Army Airborne units, and other coalition forces to provide detailed forecasts and observations. Translates environmental factors to operational effects supported unit activities. Incorporates observed weather elements into observations and trends, then translates this data into code for transmission to forecast production facilities.

DUTIES OF THE WEATHER TEAM NCOIC:

Maintain fully dual-qualified (observing and forecasting skills) J1W071 status.

Establish quarterly training goals and schedule training through the unit training officer.

Act as unit's Parachute Standardization and Evaluation Chief

Take responsibility for the readiness and maintenance of weather teams deployable equipment items (meteorological equipment, communications equipment, tactical operational equipment, and weapons systems).

Maintain and upgrade weather team's climatology library.

Establish standards for the evaluation of new weather team TACMET and field equipment.

Identify to OIC training requirements and new tactics to be evaluated during contingencies/exercises.

Establish non-weather related training requirements (survival, combat skills, small arms familiarization, dz/lz/airborne operations, etc).

DUTIES OF THE WEATHER TEAM FORECASTER:

Maintain fully qualified status as Airborne Weather Forecaster IAW current applicable CJQS.

Establish and operate limited forecasting and observing services.

Deploy as part of a weather team to provide one time go/no-go forecasts in response to specific operational needs.

Provide staff weather officer services to customer and their activities at forward locations.

Provide weather liaison to other forces attached to forward locations and to forces transiting through these locations.

Be able to establish and operate work centers in non-US weather facilities.

Capability to conduct Airborne infiltration with Army command and control elements

Static line parachute proficiency.

Identify and report limiting weather factors on Army operations.

Care and maintenance of airborne equipment and survival gear.

Packing, crating, and deploying of weather team equipment.

Capability to report tactical weather observations from forward staging/refueling areas

Maintain medical/administrative qualification for worldwide mobility

ARMY AIRBORNE CORPS AND DIVISION SUPPORT

Weather support for airborne corps and divisions is provided primarily by parachutist-qualified personnel trained to operate under field conditions. The primary duties of these teams vary. In garrison, the duties include staff support such as providing daily weather annexes for plans, planning and coordinating for exercises, and maintaining currently assigned equipment. While deployed, the duties change to weather forecasting and observing at that location. These teams provide the host organization with tailored weather information while creating a weather observation network. The cadre weather teams consist of two to eight members, depending upon the unit supported. Members receive extensive field training -- rappelling, jumpmaster training, light weapons, and land navigation.

SPECIAL TACTICS WEATHER JOB/DUTY DESCRIPTIONS

JOB DESCRIPTION - SPECIAL TACTICS WEATHER OFFICER:

A parachute-qualified weather officer capable of providing staff weather officer support to US Army Airborne and Special Operation units, and other special operations forces. Responsible to provide and coordinate all environmental support to these units. Acts as officer in charge of a Special Operations Weather Team (SOWT). Responsible for all team training, planning, deployments, and budgets.

DUTIES OF THE SPECIAL TACTICS WEATHER OFFICER:

Maintain fully qualified 15W3 status.

Plan and coordinate joint and unilateral weather team training exercises.

Maintain SOWT and individual member's technical and tactical proficiency.

Act as the central point of contact for the test and evaluation of new tactical weather, communications, and tactical equipment.

Identify and program formal school training for team members.

Establish contingency weather support packages in support of unit contingency commitments to include climatology, specialized support products, Support Assistance Request, and Communications.

Establish exercise objectives and goals.

Conduct liaison, pre-exercise planning, with other forces and with other weather units to affect coordinated weather support.

Plan and program SOWT equipment replacement and upgrade technical equipment, tactical communications, and tactical equipment.

Understand internal operations procedures and function of deployed headquarters elements, tactical units, and joint headquarters of supported unit and its higher headquarters.

Know basic tactics and weather limitations/sensitivities of supported customer and assets. Responsible for all SOWT operations. Establish support requirements and weather network communication between central forecast production facilities and non-US environmental services.

JOB DESCRIPTION - SPECIAL TACTICS WEATHER TECHNICIAN:

A Special Tactics-qualified weather forecaster/observer capable of providing environmental observing and forecasting support to US Army Special Operations units, and other special operations forces (SOF). Operates with SOF to provide meteorological, oceanographic, and space environmental support. Translates environmental factors into operational effects to SOF activities. Prepares climatologic studies, solar data, and assesses METOC impacts in support of war plans and intelligence preparation of the battle space. Develops tailored forecasts for SOF mission execution. Collects and disseminates surface, radar, and upper-air data for national and theater agencies and combatant headquarters. Provides instruction to SOF, host nation and indigenous forces on limited observation programs and drop zone winds. Maintains capabilities to deploy and operate in permissive through hostile environments, to provide limited weather forecasting/observing.

DUTIES OF THE SOWT NCOIC:

Maintain fully qualified J1W071 status.

Establish quarterly training goals and schedule training through the unit training officer.

Act as unit's BMQ/FMQ Standardization and Evaluation Chief

Take responsibility for the readiness and maintenance of weather team deployable equipment items (meteorological equipment, communications equipment, tactical equipment, and weapons systems).

Maintain and upgrade weather team's technical library.

Establish standards for the evaluation of new weather team TACMET and other equipment.

Identify to OIC training requirements and new tactics to be evaluated during contingencies/exercises.

Establish non-weather related training requirements (survival, combat skills, etc.)

DUTIES OF THE SPECIAL TACTICS WEATHER FORECASTER:

Maintain fully qualified status as a Special Tactics Weather Operator IAW current applicable CJQS.

Capability to establish and operate a routine weather observing network in secure and hostile areas using limited resources.

Tactical and technical capability to be inserted with a Special Forces Operational A-Team to provide observations from data denied areas

Deploy as part of a SOWT or individually to provide one time go/no-go forecasts in response to specific operational needs.

Identify and report limiting weather effects on all special operations forces, resources and operations within the area of responsibility.

Provide staff weather officer services to supported coalition forces and their activities at forward locations.

Provide weather liaison services to other coalition forces attached to forward locations and to forces transiting through these locations.

Exploit foreign weather networks and associated resources for integration in the US weather network. Routine maintenance, proficiency training, and care of meteorological equipment, communications equipment, tactical equipment, and weapons systems.

Maintain medical/administrative qualification for worldwide mobility

Familiarity with AOR weather sensing capabilities, common weather complexes/climate, culture and social climate

General knowledge of conventional/unconventional bare-base operations in secure and denied areas