3d Weather Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 3rd Weather Squadron (3 WS) is a unit of the United States Air Force
. It was formed at Barksdale Field (now Barksdale Air Force Base
), Louisiana, on 24 June 1937, as part of the Signal Corps. The 3rd was one of three original squadrons that eventually transferred from the Signal Corps to the Air Corps. Currently located at West Fort Hood, the 3rd Weather Squadron is aligned under the 3rd Air Support Operations Group. Weather support to Fort Hood began in 1947 at the newly constructed Killeen AFB. Today, the 3rd Weather Squadron—in addition to providing weather support to the Fort Hood complex—has operating locations at Forts Bliss, Huachuca, Riley, and Sill in Texas, Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma, respectively.
The 3rd Weather Squadron is currently the largest base- or post-level weather unit in the Air Force. The support provided by the squadron is as diverse as its history and that of the Army customers it supports. The squadron maintains a 24-hour observing and forecasting section at Robert Gray Army Airfield
with extended observing hours at Hood Army Airfield.
The squadron patch is Walt Disney’s Cupid which was sold to the unit for one US dollar during World War II, in efforts to raise troop morale.
, which led to successful capture of Saddam Hussein
.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. It was formed at Barksdale Field (now Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east-southeast of Bossier City, Louisiana.The host unit at Barksdale is the 2d Bomb Wing , the oldest Bomb Wing in the Air Force. It is assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force...
), Louisiana, on 24 June 1937, as part of the Signal Corps. The 3rd was one of three original squadrons that eventually transferred from the Signal Corps to the Air Corps. Currently located at West Fort Hood, the 3rd Weather Squadron is aligned under the 3rd Air Support Operations Group. Weather support to Fort Hood began in 1947 at the newly constructed Killeen AFB. Today, the 3rd Weather Squadron—in addition to providing weather support to the Fort Hood complex—has operating locations at Forts Bliss, Huachuca, Riley, and Sill in Texas, Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma, respectively.
The 3rd Weather Squadron is currently the largest base- or post-level weather unit in the Air Force. The support provided by the squadron is as diverse as its history and that of the Army customers it supports. The squadron maintains a 24-hour observing and forecasting section at Robert Gray Army Airfield
Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport
Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport is a small military/commercial joint-use airport also known by its military designation as Robert Gray Army Airfield. The airport is based inside the south end of the Fort Hood Military Reservation , a few miles southwest of Killeen in unincorporated Bell County,...
with extended observing hours at Hood Army Airfield.
The squadron patch is Walt Disney’s Cupid which was sold to the unit for one US dollar during World War II, in efforts to raise troop morale.
Combat Weather Teams
There are five Combat Weather Teams (CWTs) that support the following Army units at Fort Hood:- III Corps.
- 1st Cavalry Division.
- 1st Cavalry Aviation Brigade.
- 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized).
- 4th Infantry Aviation Brigade.
Operations in Iraq
On December 13, 2003, 4ID combat weather forecasters produced planning and mission execution forecasts for Operation Red DawnOperation Red Dawn
Operation Red Dawn was the U.S. military operation conducted on 13 December 2003 in the town of ad-Dawr, Iraq, near Tikrit, that captured Iraq President Saddam Hussein, ending rumours of his death. The operation was named after the 1984 film Red Dawn. The mission was assigned to the 1st Brigade...
, which led to successful capture of Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
.