The Sun Never Sets on America's Weather Wing Operations

In May, Col. Andrew Frey, USAF, commander, 2nd Weather Group, 557th Weather Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, shared his thoughts with the chapter on the 557th Weather Wing, America's Weather Wing. Frey pointed out that more than 60% of Americans check the weather daily. People think about what activities they can engage in, then things become more technical and specific.

It is this specificity that drives people to obtain input that is more interoperable, correct and integrated when it comes to weather. Frey commented that for the past 25 years, U.S. forces have operated in the Middle East. He clarified that weather can be considered innocuous, but it's often ubiquitous and indifferent to geopolitical boundaries. In other words, the right weather information can underpin a decision advantage.

Frey discussed how the 55th Weather Wing was born from the former Air Force Weather Agency. He talked about the 557th Weather Wing's enterprise role. They maintain the U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD's) sole capability to provide the DOD with global cloud analysis and forecasting; authoritative source for aviation hazards forecasts; space weather; and long-term environmental projections.

Frey talked about how they provide decision tools. He said the 557th confirms and validates the phrase the sun never sets on 557th operations. They conduct global operations with a global footprint. They can take all of their different sources of data to present cumulated weather data. Frey depicted the different operational weather squadrons/offices, where they are located, and the types of services they provide. He elaborated 8 terabytes of data gets processed cumulatively each day in support of the Weather Wing's mission. Frey concluded by pointing out the number one priority for the Weather Wing is cyber, understanding the threats and trying to leverage this in their operations.

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