Changes in weather agency structure improve efficiency

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OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AFPN) --  The stage is set for big changes in Air Force weather forecasting across the United States. 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.

The realignment began with the reactivation of the 1st Weather Group here May 25. The group provides weather products and service to Air Force and Army units, and is now part of the Air Force Weather Agency.

The newly reactivated group increases the agency’s worldwide organizational force to more than 1,400 professionals. The new group commander, Col. Tom Frooninckx, will oversee the operational weather squadrons at four Air Force bases: 9th OWS at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.; 15th OWS at Scott AFB, Ill.; 25th OWS at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; and 26th OWS at Barksdale AFB, La.

"The organizational change is seamless to the warfighter and to all military units requiring weather information. They will continue to receive complete environmental situational awareness," Colonel Frooninckx said.

"The real improvement is achieved by aligning stateside weather operations consistent with the Air Force’s warfighting headquarters initiative and creating a more efficient and effective organizational structure. We are not changing what we do. We are changing how we do it," the colonel said.

Each of the four squadrons produces forecasts for a specified area of the United States and some overseas locations; the overseas mission will not transfer to the 1st WXG, but remain aligned under the warfighting headquarters at each base. The squadrons also serve as training hubs for new weather professionals, both enlisted and officers.

Most of the graduates from the initial skills course at Keesler AFB, Miss., serve their first operational tour at an operational weather squadron. There, they receive on-the-job training from experienced weather specialists while they complete the career development course required for upgrade to journeyman status.