ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- Representatives from the U.S. Department of the Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force signed a first-of-its-kind Terms of Reference document May 23, 2022, establishing a forum for the two nations to collaborate in the areas of land, air, and space weather.
The signees, Brig. Gen. Charles B. McDaniel, U.S. Air Force director of Weather, and Col. Hwang Jae Don, ROKAF Weather Wing commander, committed to inform each other on key lines of effort and identifying specific areas where the two nations can build stronger partnerships.
“Opening this forum for deliberate weather and climate discussions will increase our ability to set mutually-beneficial objectives and enhance cooperation with our valued international partners,” McDaniel said. “Collaborating on doctrine, training, operational concepts, interoperability, exercises, and lessons learned alongside the Republic of Korea is a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth of their excellent weather capability while building our global vigilance and growth of our own enterprise.”
Discussions during this first meeting focused on the advancement and increased efficiencies of Air Force weather information, space weather and climatology utilization, educational opportunities at the Air Force’s Joint Weather Training Complex, and future ROKAF Weather Wing plans, which include establishing their own space weather squadron.
In conjunction with the signing, the ROKAF delegation traveled to the 557th Weather Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, the unit responsible for space weather and climatology support in the Department of Defense. There, they received a first-hand look at Air Force weather operations.
The Air Force Weather enterprise provides support to other U.S. military branches and continually strives to advance strong interagency and international partnerships in furtherance of national security.