APPENDIX 9 (ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SUPPORT) TO ANNEX B (INTELLIGENCE TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELDS SOP

1.

References. a. AR 115-10/AFJI 15-157, Weather Support for US Army.

b. FM 34-81/AFM 105-4, Weather Support for the US Army Tactical Operations. c. SOP. 2. Purpose. To outline the tactical weather support provided to XVIII Airborne Corps. During exercises, contingencies, or wartime operations, the deployed SWO is a member of the Army commander's special staff, under his operational control, and under the general staff supervision of the G2. Command of weather units and UCMJ authority remains in Air Combat Command (ACC) channels. A percentage of this element maintains an airborne capability to support all scales of Army airborne operations. 3. Responsibilities. a. The USAF Weather Team (WETM) is responsible for: XVIII Airborne Corps Staff Weather Officer (SWO) Field

(1) Maintaining the same flexibility, readiness, and mobility posture as the supported unit. The WETM must be capable of supporting operational forces immediately upon arrival at the employment location. (2) Establishing the priority of services based on supported Army customer requirements. (3) Providing weather support for the Corps Main, Tactical Command Post (TAC CP), Rear CP, and two Airfields. Manning does not allow for WETMS to be physically represented at all locations, therefore, support may at times be indirect. (4) Ensuring that required tactical equipment is in their possession and maintained in a state of readiness at all times. Tactical equipment required for contingencies will also be used for training and exercises. b. Army units supported by USAF WETMs are responsible for all logistical and administrative requirements of their assigned WETMS.

APPENDIX 9 (ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SUPPORT) TO ANNEX B (INTELLIGENCE TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELDS SOP c. The USAF SWO is responsible for:

(1) Advising the supported Army commander on weather support matters, to include advice on the potential use of weather support to enhance the efficiency of combat operations. (2) Arranging for weather support and developing weather information products for units of the supported Army command. (3) Assisting in arranging remote weather support to Army units with approved requirements. (4) Monitoring weather support provided to subordinate Army commands through timely situation reports (SITREPS) from subordinate echelons. (5) Disseminating Air Force-generated forecasts, warnings, advisories, weather effects information and miscellaneous weather and meteorological data to the Army intelligence officer (G2) or designated representative. (6) Acting as the Net Control Station (NCS) for the Corps weather communications network (GOLDWING Network). d. The ACofS, G2 is responsible for:

(1) Promptly disseminating Air Force-generated forecasts, warnings, advisories, observations, and tailored products to the staff and subordinate Army units which do not have direct weather support. (2) Ensuring that meteorological support is coordinated and provided to lower echelons of the supported Army command. (3) Assisting the SWO in the coordination of weather and environmental support products. (4) Disseminating weather information collected by Army units to the supporting Air Force units. (5) Ensuring that FALOP observations are taken, recorded, and provided to the supporting WETM according to FM 34-81/AFM 105-4.

APPENDIX 9 (ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SUPPORT) TO ANNEX B (INTELLIGENCE TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELDS SOP (6) Assisting the SWO in special staff responsibilities and providing general staff support to the SWO. e. For Army tactical operations, the Army will fund, provide, install, and maintain an Army tactical support communications system from the Defense Communications System (DCS) interface point for use by WETMs supporting tactical locations requiring direct weather service. 4. General. The Weather Support Force (WSF) performs the following functions in support of brigade of larger-sized units. a. Corps--24 hour SWO support, forecasting and observing, and weather communications network control. b. c. Division--24 hour forecasting and observing support. Brigade--support to brigade commander and staff.

d. Organization. The XVIII Airborne Corps WSF is functionally organized into WETMs as follows: (1) Corps. (a) (b) Only). (c) Two XVIII Airborne Corps Airfield Observing Teams, (Wartime Only). (d) 18th Aviation Bde (Airborne) WETM. XVIII Airborne Corps Main CP WETM. XVIII Airborne Corps Forward (FWD) WETM (Wartime

(2) The WSF WETMs will functionally organize for deployments according to the organization of the supported Army units. e. Execution. 18WS provides direct Staff Weather Officer support to the XVIII Airborne Corps during field training exercises and contingency missions. (1) Manning. as follows: (a) Corps WETMs are authorized wartime manning

Corps Main WETM.

APPENDIX 9 (ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SUPPORT) TO ANNEX B (INTELLIGENCE TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELDS SOP -One Staff Weather Officer -Three Forecasters -One Observer -One Administrative Specialist (b) TAC WETM. -One Staff Weather Officer -Two Forecasters -Two Observers (c) Two Airfield WETMs. -Three Observers each (d) Aviation WETM. -Two Forecasters -Three Observers (2) Services. WETMs provide the following services to the Corps command staff. (a) (b) (c) guidance. (d) Aviation flight weather briefings to include inflight pilot-to-metro service (PMSV) updates. (e) Severe weather warnings/advisories for weather listed in Tab A. (f) Airfield WETM provides: -24 hour observing support to aviation operations. 24 hour/day weather forecasting and observing. Daily weather intelligence briefings. Operations planning weather forecasts and

APPENDIX 9 (ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SUPPORT) TO ANNEX B (INTELLIGENCE TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELDS SOP -In-flight PMSV (observer functions only - no briefing support available). (g) Communications. WETMs use weather dedicated communications networks as detailed in Tab B. WETM SWO OIC/NCOIC will coordinate with their respective CommunicationElectronic(G-6) officers for specific communications equipment, and SOI requirements.

Tabs: A - Weather Warnings (WW) and Weather Advisories (WA) B - Weather Communications Networks

TAB A (WEATHER WARNINGS (WW) AND WEATHER ADVISORIES (WA)) TO APPENDIX 9 (ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SUPPORT) TO ANNEX B (INTELLIGENCE) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP The criteria for weather warnings and weather advisories are listed below. 1. Weather warning (colors) criteria with desired lead time before occurrence: COLOR A. RED B. BLUE C. GREEN D. GREEN E. BLACK F. PURPLE G. HATCHED PURPLE H. BROWN CRITERION TORNADO WINDS > 50 KTS (IN TSTMS) HAIL > 1/2 INCHES WINDS > 35 KTS BUT < 50 KTS (IN TSTMS) WINDS > 35 KTS (NOT IN TSTMS) HEAVY RAIN > 2 INCHES IN 12 HRS SNOW > 2 INCHES IN 12 HRS FREEZING PRECIPITATION LEAD TIME 10 MIN 1 HR 1 HR 1 HR 1 HR 1 HR 1 HR 1 HR

2. Terminal WAs will be issued for a three nautical mile radius of the tactical operations center (TOC) or tactical airfield whenever the following criteria are observed: a. b. c. Thunderstorm/Lightning. Surface wind >25 kts (one hr lead time desired). Low level wind shear, surface to 2000 feet.

d. Turbulence, moderate or greater intensity, below 10,000 feet for Category 1 aircraft. e. f. Icing, any intensity, below 10,000 feet. Ceiling/Visibility <1000 ft/1 mile.

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TAB A (WEATHER WARNINGS (WW) AND WEATHER ADVISORIES (WA)) TO APPENDIX 9 (ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SUPPORT) TO ANNEX B (INTELLIGENCE) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP 3. Area WAs will be issued for an 80 NMI radius of the TOC whenever the following criteria are observed: a. b. c. Thunderstorms. Surface wind >25 kts (one hr lead time desired). Low level wind shear, surface to 2000 feet.

d. Turbulence, moderate or greater intensity, below 10,000 feet for Category 1 aircraft. e. f. Icing, any intensity, below 10,000 feet. Freezing precipitation.

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TAB B (WEATHER COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS) TO APPENDIX 9 (ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SUPPORT) TO ANNEX B (INTELLIGENCE) TO XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS FIELD SOP 1. General. The quality and responsiveness of USAF weather support for Army tactical operations are directly related to the quality of the tactical weather communications networks. Perishability of weather data, 24 hour requirements for forecasts and observations, numerous elements at all echelons requiring weather intelligence, and rapid transmission of a high volume of data are some factors bearing on the problem of establishing a reliable weather communications net. 2. Responsibilities. Weather communications support is a joint USAF/Army responsibility. AR 115-10/AFJI 15-157 outlines these responsibilities. USAF provides long-line intertheater networks and lines down to the DCS interface. Army provides intratheater nets and lines from the DCS interface down to tactical operations centers. 3. General. XVIII Airborne Corps Weather Teams (WETMs) use the following communications networks. Contingency mission and field training exercise (FTX). (when short notice, quick response is required) the USAF WETM will use the Integrated Meteorological System (IMETS) and/or the Goldwing HF communications package. a. IMETS package consisting of the following: (1) (2) Army: Army: AN/TMQ-40A IMETS. Two dedicated Class A telephone lines.

(3) Army: MSE to include a DNVT line and SIPRNET connectivity (via MSE SEN van).

b.

Goldwing HF communications system. Signal Officer will provide necessary radio

c. Army. frequencies.

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