They gather and interpret weather data and provide intelligence from deployed locations while serving as members of Air Force Special Tactics teams with US Army Special Operations Forces.

Combat Weathermen collect data, assist mission planning, generate accurate and mission-tailored target and route forecasts in support of global special operations, conduct special weather reconnaissance, and train foreign national forces.

They are specifically located to provide meteorological and oceanographic support to various components of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Combat Weathermen employ various infiltration/ex filtration methods to include: static line and military free-fall parachute, small boat or amphibious means, over land - mounted or dismounted, air land via fixed or rotary-wing aircraft, and airmobile procedures to include rappel, fast-rope, and rope ladder.

Once in the objective area, they provide climatological/oceanographic data, solar/lunar data, and weather forecasts/observations to support pre-deployment, deployment, mission planning, execution, redeployment and special weather reconnaissance.

Other Combat Weather capabilities include: training members of U.S. Army Special Operations Command to take and communicate limited weather observations,collect upper air data, organize, establish and maintain weather data reporting networks, and determine host nation meteorological (observing and forecasting) capabilities.

Qualifications:

(1) Be a volunteer for parachute duty.

(2) Have a 5-skill level in AFSC 1X0X1 (That means graduating technical school and upgrade OJT training at one of the Air Force Weather "hubs.")

(3) Pass the Army Physical Readiness Test (APRP), with at least a 60 in each category of the 17-21 year age group.

Note: The APRP reflects the MINIMUM level of fitness to be accepted. The training course imposes much stricter physical requirements. Males who cannot complete 50 pushups, 65 sit ups, and 7 pull ups, and females who cannot complete 63 sit ups, 25 pushups, and 4 pull ups upon arrival at the course will have problems. Additionally everyone (male & female) are required to run 4 miles, in formation, at a 9 minute-per-mile pace.

(4) Pass a Flight Class III Flying Physical.

(5) Be recommended by your commander.

(6) Be less than 36 years old as of the date of application (Age waiver available for E-5s and above).

Special Note: Females may serve as Combat Weathermen, however, they can only serve in Air Combat Command Combat Weather units. The DOD combat exclusion policy prohibits females from serving in positions that forward deploy with Army ground combat units, which account for all of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Combat Weather positions.

Combat Weathermen Today

Assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Combat Weathermen join forces with Combat Controllers and Pararescuemen to form highly trained Special Tactics teams.

A Special Tactics team frequently operates with Navy Seals, Army Rangers, and Special Forces in "direct action" (DA), airfield seizure, foreign internal defense (FID) and unconventional warfare, and personnel recovery missions in hostile territory.

Operating in all climates, day or night, Combat Weathermen maintain the highest standards of physical fitness and proficiency in the use of light weapons.

They endure some of the toughest training offered in the U.S. military. Their training, as well as their unique mission, earns them the right to wear the gray beret.

Combat Weathermen are assigned under the 720th Special Tactics Group, an AFSOC unit headquartered at Hurlburt Field, FL. Within the 720th STG they are assigned to the 10th Combat Weather Squadron, the only Combat weather squadron in the U.S. Air Force, and the 320th, 321st, and 24th Special Tactics Squadrons.

Training

Combat Weathermen are part of the Air Force Special Tactics Group. Unlike other special operations forces, Combat Weather only recruits from existing resources within the weather career field. In addition, weather has one of the Air Force’s highest entrance score requirements. In addition to the initial weather technical school requirements trainees must complete a series of training schools

The latest change in the Combat Weather training schedule is AFSOC’s new Advanced Skills Training based at Hurlburt Field, FL., which increases the success rate of Combat Weather trainees by employing a mentoring training philosophy.

U.S. Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga. (3 weeks) - Trainees learn basic parachuting skills required to infiltrate an objective area by static line airdrop.

U.S. Air Force Basic Survival School, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.
(2.5 weeks) - This course teaches basic survival techniques for remote areas. This includes instruction of principles, procedures, equipment, and techniques, which enable individuals to survive, regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly environments, and return home.

Air Force Special Operations Command Advanced Skills Training (4 months) - Advanced Skills Training (AST) employs a "warrior training warrior”" philosophy, teaching the skills necessary for successful service in the Special Tactics community. Training includes preparation for the Army Military Free fall Parachutist Schools. Also included is training in advanced communications and navigational aids, employment techniques, weapons training and small unit tactics.

U.S. Army Military Free Fall Parachutist School, Fort Bragg, NC, and Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ. (5 weeks) - This course instructs trainees in free fall parachuting procedures. The course provides wind tunnel training, in-air instruction focusing on student stability, aerial maneuvers, air sense, and parachute opening procedures.

Historical Overview

• 24 June 1942. Supported the American effort against the Japanese in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater of operations.
• June 1944, seeing action during World War II at Normandy Beach, France; and, in the Netherlands and Yugoslavia.
• On 16 June 1966, the 10th WS was reactivated at Adorn Airfield, Thailand to conduct combat weather operations in Southeast Asia. Squadron was responsible for training indigenous weather personnel and setting up the clandestine weather observation networks throughout Southeast Asia.
• Nov 1971 personnel from the 10th WS were key players in many successful special operations including the highly weather dependent Son Tv raid. Timing for the Son Stay raid was advanced by 24 hours based on the 3 -day forecast. Weather support personnel successfully forecast the only 12 hours of "go" conditions during a 38-day period.
• Oct 1983 Combat Weathermen deployed in support of Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. invasion of Grenada Working with other SOF and conventional forces.
• Oct 1990 Desert Shield/Desert storm involved many Combat Weather units supporting the entire spectrum of Special Operations.
• Oct 1993 Mogadishu, Somalia Combat weathermen supported TF Ranger in its operation to capture Warlord Muhammad Far aha Ad id
• 1995? Bosnia, Combat Weathermen briefed crews that conducted CSAR operations, and Army Special Forces units. (Continues today).
• Continuously supporting SOUTHCOM Counter Narcotics operations in South America.
• Continuing to support ongoing operations in Americas War on Terrisom in Afghanistan.

Assignment Information:

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

AFSOC/DOW, Hurlburt Field FL

720 Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field FL

HQ 10 Combat Weather Sq, Hurlburt Field FL

Det 1, 10 CWS, Ft Lewis, WA

Det 2, 10 CWS, Ft Campbell KY

OL-A, Det 2, 10 CWS, Ft Stewart GA

Det 3, 10 CWS, Ft Carson, CO

Det 4, 10 CWS, Ft Benning, GA

Det 5, 10 CWS, Ft Bragg, NC

OL-A, 321st Special Tactics Sq, Panzer Kaserne Germany

OL-A, 320th Special Tactics Sq, Torii Station Japan

USASOC, Ft Bragg NC

Air Combat Command (ACC)

19 Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft Campbell KY

18 Weather Squadron, Ft Bragg NC

United States Air Force, Europe (USAFE)

Det 12, 7 Weather Squadron, Vicenza, Italy

Pacific Air Force (PACAF)

3rd Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft. Wainwright, Alaska

Air National Guard

107th Weather Flight, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, MI

146th Weather Flight, Corapolis, PA

181st Weather Flight, Carswell, TX