607th Weather Squadron
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 607th Weather Squadron (607WS) of the U.S. Air Force has overall responsibility for planning, providing, and/or arranging weather support for the United States Army and Air Force during armistice conditions in Korea. Elements of the US Navy, US Marines, and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) provide augmentation during exercises and contingencies. The 607WS commander is the Combined Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Officer or CMO for the Korean theater. The 607 WS headquarters is located in Building 1506 at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul.
The 607WS is functionally organized to provide weather support to Headquarters, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/US Forces Korea (UNC/CFC/USFK) and subordinate Air, Ground, Naval, Marine, and Special Operations Component Commands.
In-theater units provide weather support at 15 locations in the ROK. Nine locations support the U.S. Army's 17th Aviation Brigade and 2nd Infantry Division, four locations support the US Air Force and three units support combined/joint operations during exercises and contingencies. These units would be augmented by weather forces attached to and supporting inbound combat units in contingencies/war.
The 607WS at Yongsan AIN in Seoul is divided into three main functional areas: the USFK Theater Forecast Unit (TFU), staff support, and the weather team for the 17th Aviation Brigade. The TFU provides weather forecast products for Korea and the adjacent waters. The TFU personnel form the nucleus of the Combined Meteorological Forecast Unit (CMFU) during exercises/contingencies. The terms TFU and CMFU are interchangeable concerning products issued and support provided. Forecasters assigned to the TFU also prepare and present television and radio weather forecasts on the American Forces Korean Network (AFKN). The TFU is the regional briefing station for the Korean Theater of Operations. The 607WS staff areas of expertise include operations, forecasting, observing, plans, communications, mobility/ readiness, security, scientific services, administration, training, and logistics.
The 607WS staff provides direct support to the UNC/CFC/USFK and Eighth United States Army (EUSA). They maintain liaison with US Navy weather support activities and also coordinate weather support with the 73rd Weather Group (73WG) of the ROK Air Force and the ROK Navy. The combat weather team provides briefing, observing, and staff weather support to the 17th Aviation Brigade, including limited observing support at H-208 helipad.
