125th Weather Flight

125th Weather Flight
125th Weather Flight
	Weather Emblem
Active	1957-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force/Air National Guard
Role	Battlefield Meteorological Control
Size	11
Part of	Air National Guard/Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nickname(s)	The Fightn' Twisters
Patron	Saint Amandus
Engagements	The Battle of Comm
Commanders
Current; commander	Major Wingenroth

The United States Air Force's 125th Weather Flight (125th WF) is a combat weather team located at Tulsa International Airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Mission

The mission of the 125th WF is to provide stragetical meteorological information within an adequate amount of time, after given appropriate notice of changing meteorlogical elements. Being a combat team, the teams mission also includes five additional primary missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism. Although not specifically a part of the Special Operations Force (SOF) of the United States Army, the 125th Weather Flight does directly support it.^[1]

History

On August 19, 2007 the 125th WF was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy, by President George W. Bush, as well as the Outstanding Weather Unit Award, by the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA).^[2] The combat weather team received the distinguished unit citations for incendiary raids on the industrial sections of Dhi Qar and Wasit and for a strike against the nuclear power center at Baghdad, Iraq. During these incediary raids, only one combative team member was killed in action, Airman Rempe, while performing a standard observation. Two other members, SSGT Taber and SSGT Tinkes, were injured in a roadside bombing during a convoy transporting a TMQ-53.^[3]

Training

Special operations weathermen are among the most highly trained personnel in the U.S. military. They maintain the same weather weapon system qualifications as all Air Force weathermen in addition to advanced special tactics skills. Their 61 weeks of training and unique mission skills earn them the right to wear the gray beret. On May 5, 2008, the Air Force approved the establishment of a new Air Force Specialty Code for Special Operations Weather, formally recognizing their commitment to deploy into restricted environments by air, land or sea to conduct weather operations, observe and analyze all weather data and environmental intelligence.

Initial Training

Special Operations Weather Selection Course, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas (two weeks)

This course focuses on sports physiology, nutrition, basic exercises, special operations weather history and fundamentals.

Special Operations Weather Initial Skills Course, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi (30 weeks)

This course prepares special operations weather apprentices. Training includes basic, intermediate, and advanced meteorology, report writing and computer usage. Other topics include satellite meteorology, weather chart analysis, weather radar, weather products, tropical meteorology, synoptic level analytical meteorology, weather prognosis techniques, forecasting weather elements to include severe weather, synoptic lab, forecasting lab, and a unit on the weather career field and weather equipment.

Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia (three weeks)

Trainees learn the basic parachuting skills required to infiltrate an objective area by static line airdrop.

Air Force Basic Survival School, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (2.5 weeks)

This course teaches basic survival techniques for remote areas. Instruction includes principles, procedures, equipment and techniques, which enable individuals to survive, regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly environments and return home.

Air Force Water Survival Training, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (two days)

This two-day course teaches principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment that enhance the ability to survive in a water environment and return to friendly control.

Air Force Underwater Egress Training, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (one day)

This course teaches the principles, procedures, and techniques necessary to successfully egress from a sinking aircraft. Experiencing water entry and performing underwater egress is part of the training.

Special Operations Weather Apprentice Course, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina (13 weeks)

This 13-week course provides final special operations weather qualifications. Training includes physical training, austere weather operations, tactical weather observations, small unit tactics, land navigation, communications, demolitions, and field operations including parachuting. Upon completing the course graduates are awarded a 3-skill level (journeymen), gray beret and SOWT crest.

Advanced Training

Special Tactics Advanced Skills Training, Hurlburt Field, Florida (12-15 months)

This three phase course, initial skills, core tasks, and operational readiness training, produces operators ready for deployment as combat weathermen.