156th Weather Flight

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 156th Weather Flight

dates= 1948-Present
country= United States

allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force/Air National Guard
type= Flight
role= Weather Support
size= 19 members
command_structure=
current_commander= Lt. Col. Jay Lawrimore
garrison= Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, North Carolina

ceremonial_chief=
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The United States Air Force's 156th Weather Flight is a Combat Weather Flight located at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, North Carolina.

Mission

To provide quality observations, forecasts, and climatological data in support of tasked Army and Air Force missions, both Federal and State, by: -Maximizing operations in both garrison and tactical environments. -Maintaining the highest level of training and equipment readiness. -Ensuring high motivation of unit members through safety and security, physical readiness, esprit de corp, and career advancement.

History

The 156th Weather Flight (WF) was activated on 15 March 1948 as a standing unit in the North Carolina Air National Guard (NCANG). Based in Charlotte, the 156th WF served the vital weather forecasting and observing functions for the 145th Aero Medical Transport Group as well as the 145th Air Transport Group for Admin/Logistics support. In 1967, the 156th WF joined the 206th Weather Flight,as attached units responsible for supporting airlift missions for the 145th Military Airlift Group. The 206th WF was later deactivated (1975) leaving the 156th WF as the only unit serving the weather forecasting and observing requirements of theNCANG.

The year 1975 also marked the start of an Army weather support mission that has lasted for more than 25 years. While still a fully integrated part of the Air National Guard with continuing support for Air Force missions, the 156th WF also established a tactical weather forecasting and observing capability for the NCARNG's 30th Infantry Brigade "Old Hickory", a Mechanized Heavy Separate Brigade (HSB). "Old Hickory" was tasked to support European Theatre operations in Italy in the event of armed conflict with Soviet Bloc forces. During the following twenty years, the 156th WF participated in several joint training exercises in several OCONUS locations including the Joint Forces "Brimfrost" winter exercise in central Alaska and "Reforger", a NATO exercise held inGermany during the winter of 1984. European theatre training exercises also included six unit deployments to Italy for joint training with units from NATO's Southern Command.

Although tactical weather support for the 30th Brigade has been a major part of the 156th Weather Flight mission for more than twenty-five years, weather support for several Air Force flying units was a vital component of ongoing weatheroperations including continued support for 145th Airlift Wing operations. Recognition for the superior performance in all aspects of Weather Flight operations has come in several forms: an Air National Guard Outstanding Weather Unit Award and Excellent to High-Excellent ratings on numerous operational evaluations.

In 1995, an expanded Army tactical mission began when the 156th WF was tasked to provide weather support to the 218th Mechanized Heavy Separate Brigade, a part of the South Carolina Army National Guard. The mission is synonymous with that of the 30th HSB. During the next five years, training focused primarily on preparing for a major deployment to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California where the 156th WF received the most realistic combat training in the world.

Hierarchy

Top Level: Air National Guard
Second Level: 145th Airlift Wing
Third Level: 145th Operations Group
Forth Level: 156th Weather Flight

Decorations

Air National Guard Outstanding Weather Unit Award

References

* [https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/USAF/ep/globalTab.do?channelPageId=-1955009 AF Portal - 156th Weather Flight]

External links

*http://www.ncchar.ang.af.mil/
*http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/145aw.htm