Weather Cell

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Coordination Functions

Include impacts on METOC operations in the EAC SITREP. Verbally report impacts to METOC operations or a specific METOC problem or deficiency to the SMO.

EAC METOC operations.

1. Direct METOC services to the EAC commander and staff
2. Direct METOC services include routine standup briefings and staff support. In addition, CJCSI 3810.01 lists the following JMO responsibilities:

• Assembles the joint force commander's METOC staff and equipment consisting of the personnel and resources assigned by the CINC and consistent with the scope of the joint force mission.
• Assists the CINC SMO in determining whether a JMFU is required in the joint AO. If a JMFU is required assists CINC SMO in establishing one within the AO upon deployment, or in conjunction with transitioning JMFU responsibilities to the AO from a central production facility outside the AO.
• Assists the commander and staff in developing and executing METOC operational plans and procedures.
• Establishes and publishes information requirements and formats and coordinates METOC operations for the joint force.
• Monitors METOC operations within the AOR and coordinates with the CINC SMO concerning METOC manning, communications, information, and services requirements beyond the capabilities of assigned METOC assets. Requests additional resources through the EAC.
• During the execution phase, coordinates with the CINC SMO on updates to Annex H to the supporting joint force OPLAN or OPORD. This annex should define the roles and responsibilities within the support structure and include a general description of METOC operations to be further defined in letters of instruction.
• Coordinates METOC communication requirements not addressed at the theater CINC level with the CINC SMO, joint force J6, and Service component communicators; and assists in the development of Annex K (Communications) of each EAC OPORD, OPLAN, or CONPLAN as appropriate.
• Coordinates with the CINC SMO, JF AFSPACECOM representative, and applicable service component representatives those space environmental support requirements not addressed at the CINC level; and assists in the development of Annex N (Space Environmental Services) of each EAC OPORD, OPLAN, or CONPLAN, as appropriate
• Ensures METOC requirements are included in the EAC com-munitions connectivity allocation process within the force.
• Coordinates with the CINC SMO to ensure all available METOC information and resources, as well as indigenous assets and data, are properly considered and made available for use by joint forces.
• Coordinates with the Tanker/Air Lift Control Element (TALCE). (If deployed) or the Air Mobility Command (AMC) weather functional manager through USTRANSCOM for any METOC mission support issues regarding strategic air mobility.

Joint METOC Forecast Unit (JMFU)

1. Responsible for providing centralized METOC products for the EAC. The JMFU could be the EAC METOC Staff, one or more theater METOC Center(s), or a JMFU deployed specifically for this purpose. The JMFU is a wartime mission and takes precedence over daily products--a point to consider if a theater METOC center is the JMFU. The JMFU produces the Joint Operations Area Forecasts (JOAF) covering the EAC AO. The JMFU may support missions such as amphibious assaults, airborne assaults, air drops, Air Tasking Orders, Electro-Optic (EO) weapons, reconnaissance, special operations, radar propagation, and airdrome operations.
2. If a JMFU is deployed, the JMO determines the appropriate mixture of personnel required to support the mission. As a minimum, a JMFU would include one OIC, one NCOIC, six forecasters, and three observers. The JMO will work through the J/C1 to request the JMFU personnel.

Component METOC Staffs

1. Responsible for providing direct METOC support to their component. Component METOC support is a component responsibility.

Routine functions

1. Climatology. The JMO prepares climatological studies assessing how past weather conditions might influence planned operations.
2. Weather Observations. The JMO ensures appropriate weather observations are available to support the EAC mission. An accurate assessment of environmental conditions throughout the AO is required for mission execution.
3. Forecasts. Environmental forecasts are required for mission planning and execution. A JOAF covering the EAC AO is prepared by a single agency to ensure consistency. It should be prepared as required (usually twice daily). Based on the size and mission of the EAC, the supported command/SMO, in coordination with the JMO, determines the appropriate means of transmission. The EAC JMO determines revision (amendment) criteria. Significant deviation from the JOAF, which could result in operational impacts, will be coordinated with the JMFU. The area covered by the JOAF will be the entire AO and may be broken down into smaller areas or points consistent with the mission, geography, and/or homogeneous weather patterns. Either the EAC JMO staff, a centralized METOC facility, or a deployed JMFU prepares the JOAF.
4. Oceanographic Products. Depending on the EAC needs, oceanographic products can be as simple as high and low tide information and wave height and frequency forecasts, or as complicated as detailed vertical ocean profiles. Oceanographic products will be provided by a Navy forecast center, coordinated by the JMO.

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References

CJCSI 3810.01, Meteorological and Oceanographic Support.

Joint Pub 3-59, Joint Doctrine for Meteorological and Oceanographic Support.

Joint Pub 3-59.1, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Meteorological and Oceanographic Support.

USSOC M 525-6, Critical Meteorological and Oceanographic Thresholds for SOF Operations.

FM 34-81/AFM 105-4, Appendix C, Meteorological Critical Values.

AFI 15-118, Requesting Specialized Weather Support.