News / Articles

Army Air Corps weatherman honored for D-Day contributions

Published On 6/4/2024

A former member of the Army Air Corps was honored here Oct. 6 by members of the Air Force weather community for his contributions to the World War II D-Day invasion.

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435th AGOW Airmen take part in transformative experience

Published On 5/12/2024

Members of the 435th AGOW recently took part in a deeply enriching five-day journey to Romania that blended spiritual growth with community service.

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Combat Weather - 93rd AGOW

Published On 4/22/2024

COMBAT WEATHER | Predicting the unpredictable

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Band of Brothers actors to parachute into Normandy

Published On 4/4/2024

Actors from the HBO TV show Band of Brothers are planning to parachute into Normandy to honor the real life veterans portrayed in the series.

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'Band of Brothers' Actors Are Training to Parachute into Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

Published On 3/28/2024

'Band of Brothers' Actors Are Training to Parachute into Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

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Grey Berets in DESERT STORM

Published On 3/20/2024

Story and photos provided by Johnny Reid

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The Story of Major Wilbur Hugli

Published On 3/19/2024

The career of Maj (Ret.) Hugli

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5th Combat Weather Group

Published On 3/5/2024

5 CWG Info

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THORS NOTAM OL-F, 13 ECWS

Published On 2/23/2024

Articles from the Field

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Special Ops Command Sees Change in Mission as a Return to Roots

Published On 2/22/2024

U.S. Special Operations Command leaders see the current move to integrate the command into great power competition as a return to its roots.

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Surviving A Week In Air Force Special Operations

Published On 2/5/2024

Buckle up and get ready for an adventure unlike any other.

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Latest Updates to the Website

Published On 1/20/2024

Follow these links to see our newest content!!!

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The Team House Podcast - SOWT Travis Sanford (SD)

Published On 1/19/2024

Special Operations Weather Technician | Travis Sanford | Ep. 253

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Historical Video About the Grey Berets

Published On 12/4/2023

Historical Video of Grey Berets with 1/10th SFG(A) in Germany

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What’s Next For Air Force Special Tactics?

Published On 11/24/2023

This is the third in a three-part series about Special Reconnaissance.

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How the Air Force Builds Special Reconnaissance Commandos

Published On 11/22/2023

This is the second in a three-part series about Special Reconnaissance.

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8th OSS forecasting the fight

Published On 11/20/2023

Article that includes a GBA member in Korea.

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Inside the Air Force’s Newest SOF Career: Special Reconnaissance

Published On 11/20/2023

This is the first of three-part series on Air Force Special Reconnaissance.

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Combat weather expands mission application through experimentation exercise

Published On 11/17/2023

Training, Integration, Experimentation and Research (TIER) 23-3

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Forecast Under Fire

Published On 10/29/2023

Video compilation of Thunder Challenge 2023
Thunder Challenge is an annual Combat Weather competition.

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Lance "B11" Belobraijdic - From SOWT to SR to NASA

Published On 9/25/2023

Lance "B11" Belobraijdic has one of the craziest stories we have ever had here on the podcast. Lance was the first Special Operations Weather Team cross-trainee and experienced a pipeline like no other.

After a great career in the Air Force and Special Tactics, Lance pulled the ultimate Weather Boi move and took his talents to NASA. That's right everyone- space weather.

Thanks to B11 for coming on and sharing his diverse experience, we really appreciate it!

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Air Force Special Recon: How to get started

Published On 8/23/2023

SOURCE/CREDIT: Ones Ready Podcast

The field of Special Reconnaissance is constantly in demand and highly regarded in all branches of special operations, including the USAF.

Trent and Aaron provide a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about SR, from applying to graduating and joining your first unit, to the unique missions supported by Air Force Special Reconnaissance Airmen.

This bite-sized piece focuses on how to start your journey, in plain language.

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1Z4X1 - Special Reconnaissance - Air Force Jobs

Published On 8/23/2023

SOURCE/CREDIT: Airman Vision Podcast

Special Reconnaissance - 1Z4X1 - Air Force Jobs

Today we interviewed Trent from Ones Ready who is Special Reconnaissance in the Air Force.

As Special Reconnaissance specialist in the 1Z4X1 career field, you will be part of an elite team responsible for gathering critical intelligence in high-risk and sensitive environments.

Your mission will involve conducting covert operations, reconnaissance, and surveillance to provide valuable information to support military operations.

This position requires exceptional physical fitness, mental resilience, specialized skills, and a commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and operational security.

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Join Special Forces using the INTER-SERVICE program

Published On 8/23/2023

Source/Credit: Green Beret Chronicles Podcast

ZERO to HERO.. Join Special Forces using the INTER-SERVICE program

The inter-service transfer program is a program that allows you to transfer from your current branch to the US Army

How?

Watch this video for details!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAtBT7xq28s

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Ones Ready Ep 224: Reality of Change in AFSPECWAR

Published On 8/22/2023

SOURCE/CREDIT: Ones Ready Podcast

Changes in Air Force Special Warfare are coming fast and furious.

we wanted to peel back the layers of everything we are doing and explain it all to you so you have the absolute ground truth.

We cover a lot of ground here and talk about every change from the first time you talk to a recruiter until you put on a beret.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EQDdXrFDkY

00:00 - The reason for this episode
04:40 - Basic Training, building blocks, and how we train for the future fight
17:20 - Confirmation Bias
21:07 - 18A Fitness use code 1READY
22:24 - ATAC Fitness - buy direct from Onesready.com
23:31 - SWCC Changes
29:15 - New Efficiencies in the Pipeline and non-SPECWAR leaders in high positions
42:10 - What’s Important - Where are things going?
43:00 - Future of Pararescue - CSAR is always min force
50:34 - Future of Special Reconnaissance
53:15 - Future of CCT/TACP
58:50 - Future need for E5 TACP/PJ/SR/CCT?

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Meet the Grey Berets: These warrior weather ops are part of the US military’s elite

Published On 3/28/2023

By Michael Kuhne, AccuWeather staff writer

Among the millions who serve in the armed forces are these specially-trained, top warriors who provide critical weather information for military operations

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United States Air Force Special Reconnaissance

Published On 3/28/2023

By Maxwell Goldstein, Grey Dynamics

United States Air Force Special Reconnaissance (SR) is a specialized military unit that deploys advanced technology and covert operations deep behind enemy lines to provide critical battlefield intelligence, develop targets, and achieve global access, air, space, and cyberspace superiority.

The various branches of the United States (US) military have extensive and diverse capabilities. Some are unique to a specific branch, while others are present throughout all branches. Special Operations Forces (SOF) are essential to all US military branches – even branches that a casual observer would not anticipate having SOF units, such as the Marine Corps and Air Force. This article focuses on the youngest Air Force SOF unit, Special Reconnaissance.

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First African American Female Grey Beret

Published On 3/31/2022

Oftentimes people are not aware they are making history while they’re in the midst of it, and that couldn’t be more true for Staff Sgt. Shanelle Newman who unknowingly became the first African-American female Grey Beret.

https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2985941/first-african-american-female-grey-beret/

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U.S. Air Force: Special Warfare Overview

Published On 2/23/2022

Every Special Warfare career is highly specialized, that’s why their training needs to be, too.

Learn more about the four unique careers that make up Special Warfare by visiting U.S. Air Force Recruiting's YouTube channel

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WHAT MAKES AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIQUE?

Published On 1/28/2022

Want to learn all about the U.S. Air Force Special Operations jobs? AFSOC has four main career fields within it: Special Reconnaissance, Pararescuemen (PJ’s), Combat Controllers (CCT’s), and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). There’s a fifth “Career Field” that we discuss, known as the Special Operations Surgical Teams. This video goes over the various missions, capabilities, and purpose of each of these elite career fields. If you want to learn more about Air Force Special Warfare, watch this video!

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Champion SWO Team - Thunder Challenge Ceremony

Published On 11/4/2021

Senior Airman Anthony Bushrod and Tech. Sgt. Aaron Loggins, 18th Combat Weather Squadron staff weather officer, win Champion SWO Team at the Thunder Challenge 2021, at Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 3, 2021. Thunder Challenge 2021 is the first world-wide SWO competition in history, testing meteorological forecasting application, agile combat employment and marksmanship proficiency, in order to identify the most exceptional weather Airmen in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Sokolov)

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Thunder Challenge Day 3 - Interview with Tech. Sgt. Aaron Loggins

Published On 11/3/2021

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Loggins, Thunder Challenge competitor, provides an interview during day three of Thunder Challenge on Nov. 2, 2021, at Fort Hood, Texas. Thunder Challenge 2021 is the first world-wide SWO competition in history, testing meteorological forecasting application, agile combat employment and marksmanship proficiency, in order to identify the most exceptional weather Airmen in the world. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Christian Sullivan)

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Thunder Challenge Day 2 - Interview with Capt. Klemons

Published On 11/1/2021

Captain Adam Klemons, Thunder Challenge coach, provides an interview during day two of Thunder Challenge on Nov. 1, 2021, at Fort Hood, Texas. Thunder Challenge 2021 is the first world-wide SWO competition in history, testing meteorological forecasting application, agile combat employment and marksmanship proficiency, in order to identify the most exceptional weather Airmen in the world. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Christian Sullivan)

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Thunder Challenge Day 1 - Getting Physical

Published On 10/31/2021

U.S. Air Force Staff Weather Officers (SWOs) from across the globe kick off day one of Thunder Challenge with a multitude of physical activities, Oct. 31, 2021 at Fort Hood, Texas. Thunder Challenge 2021 is the first world-wide SWO competition in history, testing meteorological forecasting application, agile combat employment and marksmanship proficiency, in order to identify the most exceptional weather Airmen in the world. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Ashley Sokolov, Master Sgt. Corey Schuler, and Staff Sgt. Thomas Hill)

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Thunder Challenge Day 1

Published On 10/31/2021

U.S. Air Force Staff Weather Officers (SWOs) from across the globe complete day one of Thunder Challenge, Oct. 31, 2021 at Fort Hood, Texas. Thunder Challenge 2021 is the first world-wide SWO competition in history, testing meteorological forecasting application, agile combat employment and marksmanship proficiency, in order to identify the most exceptional weather Airmen in the world. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Ashley Sokolov)

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Special Reconnaissance: Career video

Published On 9/9/2021

The role of a Special Reconnaissance operator is to collect information that goes into planning for whatever military operations is happening. They can be inserted in the battlefield where compromise is not an option.

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Weather Airman supports Army’s Spartan Brigade with tactical forecasts during Northern Edge 2021

Published On 5/7/2021

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Derek Bolton is a 1st Weather Squadron staff weather officer assigned to 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Bolton provided meteorological support to the Army unit in support of Northern Edge 2021. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces’ skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. David Bedard/Released)

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ST Stories - MSgt Taylor Riggan, Special Reconnaissance Operator

Published On 3/12/2021

In this episode, we have MSgt Taylor Riggan giving us some insight into what the Special Reconnassance career field has been like for him.

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US Army Weather Support Course

Published On 10/22/2020

In this Fort Report, U. S. Air Force meteorologist attend the U.S. Army Weather Support Course hosted by the 304th Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Huachuca, Arizona so they can function in a multi-service environment.

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Air Force Special Reconnaissance - What You Need To Know

Published On 3/28/2020

Alright. Alright. ALRIGHT. We hear you. We LISTEN. Trent is really hard to nail down to time, but it's even harder to get him to bring on a close friend and talk all things AFSPECWAR and where the Special Recon career field is going. But guess what? WE DID IT. Well, Trent did it, but at least we got it out there. Aaron is there too.

We brought on Garret Lewis to talk about his very non-standard career, his experience in Special Operations Weather Technician (SOWT) and now as a Special Reconnaissance Man (Special Reconnaissance), and we pick his brain on "Where is this going? What is the mission set? How can we be best utilized?!"

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Special Tactics Training Squadron dedicates building to selfless hero

Published On 6/21/2019

Air Commandos, along with family and friends of U.S. Lt. Col. William “Bill” Schroeder, attend a building dedication ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 21, 2019. The Special Tactics Training Squadron annex building, which formerly housed the 10th Combat Weather Squadron preceding its inactivation in May 2014, was dedicated to Schroeder. Schroeder, a Special Operations Weather Officer and commander of the 342nd Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, was fatally wounded when he placed himself between an armed individual and members of his squadron, allowing them to escape unharmed, in April 2016. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Rachel Yates)

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Lt. Col. William Schroeder interview for 342nd DET3 Deactivation Ceremony

Published On 7/31/2015

Lt. Col. William Schroeder, the 342nd TRS commander, discusses the move from Hurlburt Field, Florida, to Lackland Air Force Base at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas on July 31st, 2015. Video by Airman 1st Class Brycen Guerrero, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

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342nd TRS DET3 (TACP Schoolhouse) Deactivation Ceremony at Hurlburt Field, FL

Published On 7/31/2015

Lt. Col. William Schroeder deactivates the 342nd Training Squadron Detachment 3 at Hurlburt Field. Video by Airman 1st Class Brycen Guerrero, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

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Veterans in Blue-TSgt (Ret.) Bryan Carnes

Published On 11/12/2013

TSgt (Ret) Bryan D. Carnes entered the Air Force in 1994 and he served as a Special Operations Weather Technician. He supported operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, and deployed throughout the Middle East supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Enduring Freedom-Philippines.

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Send In The Weathermen

Published On 1/1/2011

On a moonless night in October 2001, an American helicopter lifted off from an airbase in Uzbekistan, banking south on a covert mission into Afghanistan. Inside was one of America’s most elite and unknown special operators, hand-selected for a job so important that the wider war on terror hinged on its success.

In New York and Washington, D.C., the funerals continued. Families gave up hope of a miracle rescue in the rubble of the World Trade Center and Pentagon. But if this soldier succeeded he would never shoot his gun and no one outside the military would know his work.

He was a weatherman.

More precisely, he was a special operations weather technician, known as a SOWT (pronounced sow-tee). As the Department of Defense’s only commando forecasters, SOWTs gather mission-impossible environmental data from some of the most hostile places on Earth.

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