Weather

REQUESTING SPECIALIZED WEATHER SUPPORT

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This instruction implements AFPD 15-1, Atmospheric and Space Environmental Support. It describes specialized atmospheric and space environmental support, collectively termed specialized weather support, and provides guidance and procedures for requesting it. It applies to all Air Force organizations which provide or require specialized weather support. Send comments and suggested improvements on AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication, through channels, to HQ AWS/DOO, 102 West Losey Street, Room 105, Scott AFB IL 62225-5206. Any organization may supplement this instruction. Major commands, field operating agencies, and direct reporting units send one copy of their supplement to HQ AWS/DOO and one to HQ USAF/XOWP, 1490 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1490. Attachment 1 lists abbreviations and acronyms used in this instruction.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This revision reorganizes the requirements, information, and procedures formerly found in AFP 105-18, and aligns the instruction under AFPD 15-1.

1. Procedures for Requesting Support:
1.1. Air Force units will, and other services and government agencies should, use a Support Assistance Request (SAR) when requesting specialized weather, space environmental, or climatological support from the Air Force Global Weather Central (AFGWC), Air Force Space Forecast Center (AFSFC), or USAF Environmental Technical Applications Center (USAFETAC), respectively.
1.2. Construct your SAR using the elements identified in the example at attachment 2. Use one of the categories below to identify the type of mission in need of support.

• Category A. Combat mission or contingency support:
• Category B. Exercise support.
• Category C. Peacetime support.
  

2. Customer Feedback:
2.1. Provide feedback on the quality, effectiveness, and value of support directly to the appropriate center.

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Supersedes AFP 105-18, 2 April 1993. Certified by: HQ USAF/XOW (Brig Gen John J. Kelly, Jr.)
OPR: HQ AWS/DOO (TSgt Michael D. Thompson) Pages:6/Distribution: F

BUSTER C. GLOSSON, Lt General, USAF

DCS/Plans and Operations

AFCAT Air Force Catalog
AFGWC Air Force Global Weather Central
AFSFC Air Force Space Forecast Center
AUTODIN Automatic Digital Network
AWN Automated Weather Network
AWS Air Weather Service
DoD Department of Defense
DSN Defense Switched Network
FAX Facsimile
METSAT Meteorological Satellite
SAR Support Assistance Request
USAFETAC USAF Environmental Technical Applications Center
UTC Coordinated Universal Time

SUBJECT: SAR--Emergency Support (Suspense: 20 May 93)
TO: AFGWC/DOO
MMB 39
106 Peacekeeper Dr, Ste 2N3
Offutt AFB NE 68113-4039

1. Support Name: Cameroon Rescue Forecast.

2. SAR Status: Initial.

3. Unit Supported: 60 AW.

4. Mission Category/Impact: CAT A. Lack of requested support will hinder the flow of aircraft into the area of operations, causing increased number of aircraft to be used. Delivery of personnel and materiel critical to the rescue effort will be delayed.

5. Point of contact: Captain Smith, 60 OSS/WXF, Travis AFB IL, DSN 976-1234.

6. Medium/number of copies: AWN and AUTODIN/ NA.

7. Delivery/address:
a. AWN: KTCM, KTCP, KSUU.
b. AUTODIN routing indicator and plain language address: RUWMFLA, 62 OSS MCCHORD AFB WA//WXF//; RUWMEFA, 60 OSS TRAVIS AFB CA//WXF//; RHCUAAA, HQ AMC SCOTT AFB IL//XOWX//.

8. Security classification/Message precedence: UNCLAS/Immediate.

9. Type of support: Synoptic discussion and 24-hour Terminal Aerodrome Forecast.

10. Start date/time: 20 May 93/0000 UTC.

11. Transmit and valid times: Transmit each day at 09 and 21 UTC. Forecast valid at 12 and 00 UTC each day plus 24 hours.

12. Frequency: See paragraph 11.

13. Stop date/time: To be determined. Will advise on 20 Jun 93.

14. Data location: Yaounde, Cameroon, 4N 12E, elevation 1,650 feet. Magnetic variation 3 degrees West.

15. Format of output: Use FXXX XXXX as discussed between Capt Smith and Lt Col Brown, AFGWC Duty Officer.

16. Operational problem description: Forecast will be used for evacuation planning and disaster relief operations.

17. Remarks: None.

(signature block) cc: HQ AMC/XOWX

• Forecaster Tools. Alphanumeric and graphical products used in local weather stations, tactical forecast units, etc., as the baseline information used to prepare mission-tailored products.
• Mission Support. Weather information (such as observations, forecasts, or warnings); not available from local sources, designed to enhance resource protection or execution decisions.
• Meteorological Satellite (METSAT) Data. Current or archived METSAT imagery from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spacecraft.
• Post Event Analysis. After-the-fact analysis of atmospheric conditions that influenced a specific operation or weapon system.
  

A3.2. Air Force Space Forecast Center (AFSFC). AFSFC is the sole Department of Defense (DoD) provider of space environmental observations, forecasts, and warnings. AFSFC information is directly applicable to operational problems: satellite drag, bearing and range errors on satellite positions, spacecraft charging, communications anomalies, bit flips in electronic memory, and radiation hazards to manned space flight.
A3.2.1. Examples of AFSFC products:

• Energetic Particle Event. Advisory notification of solar flare activity and its potential effects on communications, radar or telemetry equipment.
• Communications Support. Point-to-point HF frequency forecasts, ionospheric interference analysis and forecasts, and other tailored communication forecasts.
• Ionospheric Correction Factors. Provides electron density profiles and total electron content products to correct for ionospheric refraction.
• Space Environment Anomalies. Provides post-event space environment assessments of satellite and surveillance or space-track radar anomalies.
  

STU-III: (719) 550-1317
FAX: DSN 560-2100
Secure FAX: DSN 560-2100

A3.3. United States Air Force Environmental Technical Applications Center (USAFETAC). USAFETAC is the Air Force center for applied climatology. All products present quantitative or narrative information on the atmosphere or space environment that affects facilities, intelligence, tactics, strategy, and flight or space operations.
A3.3.1. Examples of USAFETAC products:

• Operations Planning Support. Applied climatological or space environmental information prepared to help units plan an operation or activity that will to be executed in the future.
• System or Facility Design Support. Applied climatological information prepared for weapon or satellite systems or facility designs or specifications.
• Simulation and Modeling Data. Data packages realistically representing the aerospace environment for use in modeling or simulation efforts.
• Weather Technical Library Services. Reference and acquisition services concerning information on subjects in the aerospace sciences and related disciplines.
• Standard-Format Climatic Analyses. These include surface observations, climatic briefs, operational climatic data, crosswinds, engineering design, cloud data, precipitation, cloud-free line of sight, electro-optical, etc.
  

A3.4. General SAR Information. Contact Air Weather Service (AWS) for your general questions or concerns:
HQ AWS/DOO
102 W Losey St, Rm 105
Scott AFB, IL 62225-5206
MESSAGE ADDRESS: HQ AWS SCOTT AFB IL//DOO//
DSN 576-4110
Commercial: (618) 256-4110
STU-III: DSN 576-4911
FAX: DSN 576-6300