11th Operational Weather Squadron

Last updated

11th Operational Weather Squadron
Active1941 – 1957
1958 – 1992
1999 – 2008
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Part of Air Force Weather Agency
611th Air Operations Group
Duty Assignment Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
ColorsBlue & Yellow
Decorations Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
11th Operational Weather Squadron emblem (approval date unknown) [1] 11th Operational Weather Squadron Emblem.jpg
11th Weather Squadron emblem (approved 13 June 1961) [1] 11th Weather Squadron Emblem 1961.png
11th Weather Squadron emblem (approved 20 September 1944) [1] 11th Weather Squadron emblem.png

The 11th Operational Weather Squadron (11OWS) was an operational weather squadron of the United States Air Force. The squadron was based out of Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and was responsible for forecasting Alaska's weather and analyzing its climate.

Contents

The squadron was first activated in early 1941 as the Air Corps Detachment, Weather, Alaska at Ladd Field. It was soon moved to Elmendorf Field (later Air Force Base). The detachment oversaw weather stations in Alaska and after the Attack on Pearl Harbor in February 1942 became the 11th Air Corps Squadron, Weather. The squadron was redesignated the 11th Weather Squadron in 1944. In 1952 the squadron was relocated to Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi where it inactivated five years later. In 1958 the squadron was reactivated at Elmendorf. The squadron was inactivated after a short stay at Eielson Air Force Base in 1992. The squadron was reactivated as the 11th Operational Weather Squadron at Elmendorf in 1998.

History

World War II

The 11th Operational Weather Squadron was constituted as Air Corps Detachment, Weather, Alaska, on 15 November 1940, and activated on 11 January 1941 at Ladd Field, Alaska, assigned to the Ninth Service Command. The detachment was commanded by Captain Wilson H. Neal and consisted of a Technical sergeant and five other enlisted men, transferred from March Field. Its mission was to operate the Alaska Weather Region to provide Army Air Corps aircraft and Alaska Army units with weather service. The detachment relocated to Elmendorf Field on 2 May. [2] On 7 December, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the detachment oversaw the weather stations at Elmendorf, Ladd, Annette Island, and Yakutat, a total of 44 enlisted men and three officers. [3]

The squadron was redesignated the 11th Air Corps Squadron, Weather, on 26 February 1942 and transferred to the 11th Air Force. On 28 May, it activated a weather station at Fort Glenn. In October, the squadron activated a weather station at Adak and its remotest station at St. Matthew Island. Now-Lieutenant Colonel Neal was transferred and replaced by Major Paul A. Carlson in November. A station at Amchitka was activated on 24 January 1943. After the American liberation of Attu in May, the squadron established a weather station at Alexai Point on the island. The Adak and Alexai Point stations provided forecasts for a number of bombing raids against Paramushir in the summer. By the end of 1943, the squadron controlled 32 weather stations, manned by 81 officers, seven NCOs, and 447 enlisted men, its peak strength. [3] On 6 January 1944, the squadron became the 11th Weather Squadron. In February, both weathermen and a radio operator at the Chuginadak station died of exposure while searching for a supply barge which had run aground on the island. During the war, three men of the squadron received the Distinguished Flying Cross, seventeen received the Bronze Star, three were awarded the Army Commendation Medal, and five were awarded the Air Medal. [3] The squadron was transferred to the Army Air Forces Weather Service (later the Air Weather Service) on 22 October 1945. [2]

Cold War

On 4 December 1945, the squadron became part of the 7th Weather Group (later the 2107th Air Weather Group). On 20 April 1952, the squadron was relocated to Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, becoming part of the Air Weather Service. A month later it became part of the 8th Weather Group. The squadron was inactivated at Keesler on 18 November 1957. The squadron returned to Elmendorf and was reactivated on 18 June 1958, replacing the 7th Weather Group. [1] On 1 June 1959, the squadron became part of the 4th Weather Wing. It was transferred to the 3rd Weather Wing on 30 June 1972. Between 20 January and 1 February 1989, elements of the squadron participated in Exercise Brim Frost 89, training Joint Task Force-Alaska against invasion. [1] The squadron became part of the 1st Weather Wing on 1 October 1989. It was reassigned to Pacific Air Forces on 30 September 1991, when weather squadrons of Air Weather Service were transferred to the commands they supported. The squadron relocated to Eielson Air Force Base on 1 April 1992, becoming part of the 343d Operations Group on 15 April. The squadron was inactivated on 1 June. [2] [4]

Operational Weather Squadron

The squadron was redesignated the 11th Operational Weather Squadron on 5 February 1999, and activated on 19 February 1999 with the 611th Air Operations Group. [2] The squadron provided mission tailored, operational, and tactical level meteorological, geological, oceanographic, and space environment products and services for Department of Defense air and land operations in the Alaskan region. They provided headquarters staff support to the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force, PACAF, and U.S. Army Alaska, and contingency support to the Alaska NORAD Region. [5] As a result of USAF manpower and budget reductions, the 11th OWS was inactivated and merged with the 17th Operational Weather Squadron in Hawaii in June 2008. This merger was completed on 13 June 2008. [6]

Lineage

The lineage of the 11th Operational Squadron from inception to 2008: [4]

Activated on 11 January 1941
Inactivated on 20 April 1952
Activated on 20 April 1952
Inactivated on 18 November 1957
Activated on 18 June 1958
Inactivated on 1 June 1992
Activated on 19 February 1999 [4]

Assignments

The assignments of the 11th Operational Squadron from inception to 2008: [4]

Stations

The stations of the 11th Operational Squadron from inception to 2008: [4]

Awards and campaigns

Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Streamer MUC Army.PNG Army Meritorious Unit Commendation 1 January 1944–24 October 194511th Weather Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 May 1966–30 April 196811th Weather Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 June 1969–31 May 197111th Weather Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 January 1975–1 April 197611th Weather Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 1976–30 June 197811th Weather Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 1990–30 June 199211th Weather Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 1999–30 September 200111th Operational Weather Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 2003–30 September 200511th Operational Weather Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 November 2005–31 October 200711th Operational Weather Squadron [1]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 November 2007–13 June 200811th Operational Weather Squadron [1]
Campaign StreamerCampaignDatesNotes
Streamer AC.PNG American Theater without inscription7 December 1941 – 2 March 194611th Weather Squadron [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eielson Air Force Base</span> US Air Force base near Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Eielson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located approximately 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska and just southeast of Moose Creek, Alaska. It was established in 1943 as Mile 26 Satellite Field and redesignated Eielson Air Force Base on 13 January 1948. It has been a Superfund site since 1989. Eielson AFB was named in honor of polar pilot Carl Ben Eielson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eleventh Air Force</span> Numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for the Alaskan region

The Eleventh Air Force (11 AF) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaskan Air Command</span> Inactive United States Air Force unit

Alaskan Air Command (AAC) is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command originally established in 1942 under the United States Army Air Forces. Its mission was to organize and administer the air defense system of Alaska, exercise direct control of all active measures, and coordinate all passive means of air defense. In addition, the command also supported Strategic Air Command elements operating through and around Alaska. It was redesignated Eleventh Air Force on 9 August 1990 and, concurrently, status changed from a major command of the United States Air Force to a subordinate organization of Pacific Air Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladd Army Airfield</span> Airport in Fairbanks, Alaska

Ladd Army Airfield is the military airfield located at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was originally called Fairbanks Air Base, but was renamed Ladd Field on 1 December 1939, in honor of Major Arthur K. Ladd, a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps who died in a plane crash near Dale, South Carolina on 13 December 1935.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">343d Wing</span> Military unit

The 343d Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where it was inactivated on 20 August 1993. The unit was formed at Eielson as the 343d Composite Wing and activated in October 1981 to replace the 5010th Combat Support Group. It operated both fighter and forward air control aircraft. In 1991, it also became the administrator for periodic Exercise Cope Thunder operations, which moved to Alaska from the Philippines after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo resulted in the evacuation of units from Clark Air Base When the wing was inactivated, it was replaced at Eielson by the 354th Fighter Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">18th Aggressor Squadron</span> Military unit

The 18th Aggressor Squadron is a subordinate unit of the 354th Fighter Wing based at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, and flies the Block 30 General Dynamics F-16C/D aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">611th Air Operations Center</span> Military unit

The 611th Air Operations Center is an active unit of the United States Air Force's Eleventh Air Force. Based at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska, it was activated in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Weather Group</span> Military unit

The 1st Weather Group is a group of the United States Air Force. It oversees all six operational weather squadrons; the 15th OWS at Scott AFB, Ill.; the 17th OWS at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii; the 21st OWS at Kapaun Air Station, Germany; the 25th OWS at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; the 26th OWS at Barksdale AFB, La.; and the 28th OWS at Shaw AFB, SC. The 1st WXG is a subordinate of the 557th Weather Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9th Operational Weather Squadron</span> Military unit

The 9th Operational Weather Squadron, based out of Shaw AFB, SC, was the Squadron responsible for weather prediction in the Southeastern United States. It was split from the 28th Operational Weather Squadron in 2006. The 9 OWS inactivated on 31 May 2008 and merged with the 26th Operational Weather Squadron located on Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">26th Operational Weather Squadron</span> Military unit

The 26th Operational Weather Squadron (26OWS), based out of Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, is the US Air Force meteorological squadron responsible for the Southeastern United States. The current states in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) include Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">28th Operational Weather Squadron</span> Unit of the United States Air Force

The 28th Operational Weather Squadron, is an operational weather squadron responsible for supporting USCENTCOM operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">17th Operational Weather Squadron</span> Unit of the United States Air Force

The 17th Operational Weather Squadron is a unit of the military of the United States. Based at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, it covers weather for the largest geographical area in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">210th Rescue Squadron</span> Military unit

The 210th Rescue Squadron is a unit of the Alaska Air National Guard 176th Wing located at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska. The 210th is equipped with the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">54th Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 54th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to the 3d Operations Group, being stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It was inactivated on 28 April 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron</span> Military unit

The 11th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 343d Fighter Group at Duluth Airport, Minnesota, where it was inactivated on 30 June 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5001st Composite Wing</span> Military unit

The 5001st Composite Wing is an defunct United States Air Force organization. Throughout its existence, it was assigned to the Alaskan Air Command and stationed at Ladd Air Force Base, Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Air Support Operations Group</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force's 1st Air Support Operations Group is a combat support unit located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The group provides tactical command and control of airpower assets to the Joint Forces Air Component Commander and Joint Forces Land Component Commander for combat operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Alaska</span> Military unit

United States Army Alaska was a military command of the United States Army located in the U.S. state of Alaska. A subordinate command of I Corps, USARAK was the ground element of the Alaskan Command. USARAK was headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and commanded by a major general. USARAK was reflagged as the 11th Airborne Division on June 6, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7th Air Refueling Squadron</span> Military unit

The 7th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 19th Operations Group, stationed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, where it was inactivated on 1 January 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Liaison Squadron</span> Military unit

The 5th Liaison Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was first activated during World War II as the 5th Observation Squadron. It served as a training unit for cooperation with field artillery until 1942, when that mission was assumed by the artillery. After training in the United States, it deployed to India in 1944, where it served in combat as the 5th Liaison Squadron until V-J Day, returning to the United States for inactivation in 1946. The squadron was active in the United States as a liaison and a helicopter unit. It was last active at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska in 1954.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Air Force Weather: Our Heritage 1937 to 2012 (PDF). Air Weather Association. 2012. pp. 7–3, 13–17, 13–36, 13–37.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Air Force Weather Lineage– the 11th OWS" (PDF). Air Force Weather Historian Newsletter. Vol. 1, no. 1. Winter 2003. p. 2. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 Fuller 1990, pp. 179–181.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lineage and Honors of the Operational Weather Squadrons (PDF). Air Force Weather Heritage Series. Offutt AFB, Nebraska: Air Force Weather History Office. March 2003. pp. 1–3.
  5. "11th Air Force". 11th Air Force Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Lee, Jesse (25 August 2008). "Two weather squadrons become one". 17th Operational Weather Squadron. Retrieved 10 February 2017.

Bibliography

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010.