Specialty Summary. Commands, manages, and performs weather operations for Air Force and Army activities. Integrates current and forecast atmospheric and space weather conditions into operations and operational planning. Develops, directs, and coordinates meteorological and space weather studies and research. Supports Air Force core weather responsibility to provide meteorological and space weather information for DoD air, ground, and space operations. Related DoD Occupational Group: 250200.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Analyzes and evaluates meteorological data and prepares forecast products. Integrates weather analyses and reports with radar and satellite imagery interpretations. Makes mission forecasts. Briefs aircrews and staff personnel on current and forecast weather. Instructs personnel on application of weather to operations, and interpretation and use of meteorological products. Performs global analysis and forecast duties at weather and space centers. Provides weather warnings and advisories for adverse weather to worldwide DoD installations. Provides mission tailored forecasts for special and joint operations. Directs taking, recording, reporting, and plotting of meteorological and space weather observations, analysis of data, preparation of forecasts and other prognostic products and use of meteorological equipment. Makes and directs studies to improve forecasting. Advises commanders and their staffs on capabilities and limitations of weather operations.

Conducts and directs meteorological, astrophysical, and geophysical studies. Prepares and adapts specialized forecast, climatology, and other weather studies for operational use. Identifies weather sensitivities and shortfalls, and recommends modifications of instruments, equipment, and products to improve weather service to weapon systems and technologies. Prepares publications on observing, analyzing, and forecasting meteorological, solar, astrophysical, and geophysical parameters. Recommends changes in weather services dictated by advances in military weapons, tactics, and doctrine. Provides meteorological consultation for research activities, and directs gathering and preparing of data for specialized weather support activities. Coordinates atmospheric and space research activities with military and civilian agencies.

Provides technical meteorological services. Prepares and directs weather resources to support operational objectives. Writes directives on operational techniques and procedures to observe, analyze, and forecast atmospheric and space phenomena. Directs and prepares studies and reports to evaluate weather support requirements.

Leads weather teams in support of Air Force, Army, and Joint missions. Serves as staff weather officer to commanders, focal point for all weather sensitivities in and around the battlespace.

Specialty Qualifications:

Knowledge. The following knowledge is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

15W

Air Force weather observing and forecasting procedures and techniques.

15W3A. Meteorological or space science research.

Education. The following education is mandatory for entry into the AFSC indicated:

15W Successful completion of the Basic Meteorology Program (BMP) (see note) or completion of 24 semester hours of college-level courses in meteorology, including 6 semester hours of dynamic meteorology and six semester hours of weather analysis and forecasting. Also, undergraduate academic specialization in meteorology or atmospheric science is desirable.

15W3A. Completion of 30 semester hours of graduate work with an emphasis in meteorology and space weather science.