What does AFWA mean in MILITARY

The Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) is part of the United States Air Force. AFWA provides worldwide weather, environmental intelligence, and decision support services to the Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and international customers.

AFWA produces and distributes weather information via satellite imagery, model output, meteorological forecasts, warnings, and advisories from a global network of sites. AFWA is also responsible for airfield operations support at Air Force bases around the world.

Pilots rely on accurate weather information provided by AFWA in order to make safe decisions while flying. This includes preflight planning information such as winds aloft forecasts and satellite imagery as well as real-time data such as current weather conditions.

In addition to the US Air Force, many other government agencies use the weather products provided by AFWA. These include NASA, NOAA, US Coast Guard and US Navy operations around the world.

Yes, AFWA has a Storm Desk that monitors all tropical storms in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for threat potential to DOD personnel and assets throughout the region. It also scans infrared images from satellites for clues about forming systems or changes in existing storms.

Individuals interested in becoming an operational forecaster must first complete an accredited under-graduate or post-graduate degree program in meteorology or atmospheric science from a college or university recognized by the American Meteorological Society (AMS). After completing their degree program they can apply for employment with FWAA through USAJOBS.

To become eligible for hire as either a professional or contract meteorologist/atmospheric scientist you must have completed an accredited undergraduate or post-graduate degree program within the last 5 years recognized by AMS that included coursework in synoptic dynamics & thermodynamics; dynamical & physical climatology; mesoscale dynamics; dynamic oceanography & numerical weather prediction; radar meteorology; remote sensing technologies; physical hydrology & analysis techniques; atmospheric chemistry & air quality modeling disciplines and digital cartography/graphics principles. Additionally individuals must successfully complete several levels of onsite training prior to becoming eligible for duty assignments.

Yes! FWAA offers internships opportunities each year to rising juniors and seniors majoring in Meteorology or Atmospheric Sciences who are enrolled at a college or university accredited by AMS that prepares students for careers in operational forecasting.