Page 25 - AFMAN 15-111, 12 MAR 2019

AFMAN15-111 12 MARCH 2019 25

Chapter 5

OBSERVATION AUGMENTATION

5.1. General. This chapter describes the requirements and procedures to augment surface
weather observations produced by an FBWOS. Augmentation is the process of having position-
qualified weather personnel edit or add additional data to an observation generated by an FBWOS.
The two augmentation processes of supplement and back-up are covered separately in the
following sections.
5.1.1. Weather personnel must have a view of the airfield complex and maintain situational
awareness of the current conditions as well as the FBWOS-sensed data and observations. (T-
1).

5.1.2. When augmenting, weather personnel will:

5.1.2.1. Configure their ADS to disseminate in the augmented or manual mode. Selecting
either of these dissemination modes removes the “AUTO” report modifier from the
observation. When augmentation is no longer required, weather personnel must
reconfigure their ADS to disseminate in the automated mode. (T-1).
5.1.2.2. Use manual observing methods to determine and report the elements of an
observation. The description of these methods can be found in each subsequent chapter
covering the elements of an observation. (T-1).
5.1.2.3. Documenting Augmented Observations. Use ADS (JET) Form 3813, electronic
or paper AF Form 3803, or the approved electronic workbook version (Excel(R)) of AF
Form 3803 (available at https://climate.af.mil/ingest). (T-1).

5.2. Supplementing FBWOSs. Supplementing is the process of manually adding observed
weather conditions beyond the capabilities of the FBWOS to detect and/or report to an observation.
Augment observations during controlled airfield hours and check the weather at intervals not to
exceed 20 minutes whenever mandatory supplemental criteria in Table 5.1 are observed or
forecast to occur within 1 hour. (T-1). Note: This does not relieve weather personnel of their
Severe Weather Action Plan (SWAP) responsibilities to respond to severe weather events during
uncontrolled airfield hours IAW AFMAN 15-129V2, Air and Space Weather Operations –
Exploitation. Weather personnel will continue to have a SWAP in place to respond to severe
weather threats. (T-1).