News

  • ACC Airmen performing space mission in Australia celebrate 40 years

    The Learmonth Solar Observatory celebrated its 40th anniversary April 27, 2019, at Learmonth, Western Australia, giving solar immersion briefings at the facility and holding a partnership barbecue.The observatory is operated jointly by 2nd Weather Squadron’s Detachment 1 and the Australian Bureau of

  • 1 WXG’s virtual training brings real benefits

    Airmen assigned to the 1st Weather Group are rolling out virtual reality training tailored to the needs of the Air Force Weather community, allowing them to train faster and smarter.Delivered on March 14, 2019, 1st WXG’s NextGen Environmental Weather Training System simulates setting up and

  • 26th OWS Airmen experience the pilot’s perspective

    Two Airmen from the 26th Operational Weather Squadron got to experience the weather they normally only forecast when they donned flight suits and took to the skies at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Feb. 21, 2019.Tech. Sgt. Chris Bieber, 26th OWS shift supervisor, and Senior Airman

  • 2nd WXG innovations: Task Force Bat Phone delivers data Airmen need

    This is the second part of a series highlighting innovations by the 557th Weather Wing’s 2nd Weather Group.Using off-the-shelf components, new processes and a little inspiration from Batman, a group of innovative Airmen from the 557th Weather Wing’s 2nd Weather Group are changing how information is

  • 2nd WXG Innovations: 14th WS releases new climate go kit

    This is the first of a series highlighting innovations by the 557th Weather Wing’s 2nd Weather Group.After only six months of in-house development, the 2nd WXG’s 14th Weather Squadron in Asheville, North Carolina, introduced their Climate Go-Kit, a new tool for weather forecasters to prepare for

  • 557th WW joins 55th WG for Winter Havoc

    The 557th Weather Wing joined the 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base’s host wing, for the Operational Readiness Exercise Winter Havoc.Twenty-one Airmen from the 2nd Systems Operations Squadron, 2nd Weather Squadron and 16th Weather Squadron joined approximately 600 other Offutt AFB Airmen for the late

  • 17th OWS wins weather squadron of the year

    The 17th Operational Weather Squadron has been selected as the Air Force Weather Squadron of the Year for 2018.Located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, the 17th OWS provides weather operations support throughout the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.One of the squadron’s accomplishments was

  • 25th OWS celebrates 75th anniversary

    Surrounded by historic aircraft in the main hangar of the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, the 25th Operational Weather Squadron celebrated its 75th anniversary Nov. 2, 2018. Originally known as the 25th Weather Squadron, the unit provided weather support to Army and Army Air Corps

  • 2 WS shares Halloween down under

    On Halloween, nearly 430 people from Exmouth – a town of about 2,000 located on Western Australia’s Northwest coast – visited a haunted house built by Airmen from 2nd Weather Squadron’s Detachment 1. The popularity of the detachment’s haunted house is underscored by the fact that Australia isn’t

  • (Commentary) 2nd CWSS helps restore operations after Hurricane Michael

    129 miles per hour...that was the last wind speed recorded at Tyndall Air Force Base and the highest official on-land wind report recorded before the weather sensors were shredded as Hurricane Michael made landfall just after noon directly over the Florida Panhandle’s 325th Fighter Wing.The sensors

  • Cyber Airmen “fuel” innovation

    Cyber Airmen assigned to the 557th Weather Wing recently teamed together with the Defense Innovation Unit program making changes to how airborne tankers are scheduled. The changes are the direct result of a March 8, 2018, memo from Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, where he stated,

  • 557th WW Airmen find innovative cyber solutions

    Innovation is more important than ever. The 2018 National Defense Strategy has called for rapid innovation and to “deliver performance at the speed of relevance.” 557th Weather Wing Airmen have a history of finding ways to innovate, working smarter to save money and deliver new capabilities and

  • 2nd WS Airmen give a voice to weather

    Many people check the weather before they start their day; looking for guidance about how they should dress, how their commute may be affected and whether they can expect severe weather. For service members overseas, this can be difficult as their local weather may be presented in a foreign

  • 1st WXG holds change of command

    The 1st Weather Group welcomed a new commander during its change of command ceremony July 24, 2018, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Col. Travis Steen assumed command from outgoing commander Col. Thomas Blazek in a ceremony officiated by 557th Weather Wing Commander Col. Brian Pukall.

  • 2nd WXG holds change of command

    The 2nd Weather Group held its change of command ceremony July 11, 2018, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Col. Patrick Williams assumed command from outgoing commander Col. Jason Patla in a ceremony officiated by 557th Weather Wing Commander Col. Brian Pukall.

  • UNL Weather Camp visits 557th WW

    High school students interested in meteorology visited the 557th Weather Wing as part of the National Weather Camp program June 12, 2018, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The students, who have a desire to pursue careers in weather, are in grades 10 - 12 from high schools across the United

  • 2nd WS continues volunteering tradition at veterans’ home

    Service members from the 557th Weather Wing’s 2nd Weather Squadron – as well as other wing units – volunteered to assist in hosting Memorial Day ceremonies May 28, 2018, at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans’ Home in Bellevue, Nebraska. The effort has become a squadron tradition which brings together

  • Spring and summer bring more than sunshine and flowers

    As spring emerges from winter’s cold shadow, warmer temperatures melt away the snow and ice in the Offutt community. Unfortunately, spring and summer weather bring dangers of their own. Taking a few moments to learn how to prepare for and respond to severe weather may reduce stress and increase the

  • Air Force Assistance Fund is dedicated to helping Airmen and their families

    The annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign has begun for 2018 with the focus on Airmen helping each other through four affiliate charities.The charities included in the AFAF are the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation and the

  • Warriors on the Track

    At first glance, one could describe roller derby as chaotic. Skaters clad in helmets and pads circle the track, colliding with one another while shouting commands to their teammates. Look closer and one could see blocking and plays similar to what you would expect at a football game. The women who