Anticipate - Exploit The Weather

Headquarters U.S. Air Force

Strategy for Providing Atmospheric Information:

Air Force Perspective3 Dec 01

Brigadier General David L. JohnsonHQ USAF/ XOW

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Overview

AFW mission and organization

Importance of atmospheric (and space) information

Air Force direction

Atmospheric information needed

Air Force experience in leveraging data sources

Recommendations

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AFW Mission

Deliver to our Nation's combat forces anytime, anyplace, the highest quality, mission-tailored information, products, and

services relating to the terrestrial and space environment....from the mud to the sun.

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AFW –Organized for Ops

Mission-ScaleMission-Scale2 Way Info2 Way Info

OPERATIONAL CONCEPT

GlobalGlobalProductsProducts

Fine-Scale Fine-Scale Theater Theater

ProductsProducts

Strategic Weather Center

Operational WeatherSquadrons

Combat Weather Teams

Lean, ExperiencedLean, ExperiencedMission Knowledgeable TeamMission Knowledgeable Team

Develop ForecastsDevelop ForecastsOn-the-Job Training / On-the-Job Training /

Mentoring Less Experienced Mentoring Less Experienced PersonnelPersonnel

Leverage TechnologyLeverage TechnologyManage InfrastructureManage Infrastructure

WARFIGHTEWARFIGHTERR

WARFIGHTEWARFIGHTERR

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The Importance of Atmospheric (and Space) Information

InformationProviders

InformationProviders

JointBattlespaceInfosphere

JointBattlespaceInfosphere

Geospatial Databases

CommonOperational

Picture• Intel Sources

• Air Surveillance

• Surface Surveillance

• Space Surveillance TERRAIN/CULTURAL FEATURESTERRAIN/CULTURAL FEATURES

CommandersCommanders

Information Preparation of the Battlespace

TERRESTRIAL/SPACE WEATHER

INTELLIGENCE, OTHER FORCES

COALITION FORCES

LOGISTICS/UTILITIES

IMAGERY/OVERLAYS

I

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Air Force Direction

Incorporate environmental information directly into command-and-control systems

- Maintaining “forecaster-in-the-loop” where it makes sense to add value

Four-dimensional data bases focused on operational effects, not “weather for weather’s sake”

- Access limited as needed

Best Science--Partnering with other agencies/sources

Future is Microclimate Description--Effective use of higher resolution METSAT and model data

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Needed Atmospheric Information: Fine-Scale Model Data

Integrated Into WarfighterPlanning and Execution

Decisions...

Key to Exploiting The Weather!

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Clear - Baseline Multiple Dust Plumes

Needed Atmospheric Information: Hi-Res METSAT Data

Iran Iran

Afghanistan Afghanistan

Pakistan Pakistan

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Air Force Experience: Leveraging “Best” of Community/Data Sources

European Obs/Radar/Model Data International METSAT Data

- Security Restrictions Commercial Turbulence Information Cooperative Agreement with The Weather Channel NOAA - Next Generation Polar-Orbiting Satellites Academia/NCAR - Models/Algorithms NOAA/NASA - Joint Center for Satellite Data

Assimilation

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Recommendations

Air Force should have “a seat at the table” in developing a strategic plan

Don’t forget space weather Advantages in using environmental information

should be gained through teamwork/sharing, analysis, visualization, or prediction methods, not by restricting the flow of data

Support OFCM

“Anticipate - Exploit The Weather”