Page 7 - AFMAN 15-111, 12 MAR 2019

AFMAN15-111 12 MARCH 2019 7

Chapter 1

OVERVIEW

1.1. General. This manual prescribes AF surface weather observing and reporting procedures
based on guidance issued by WMO, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),
National Weather Service (NWS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Allied
Publications. Additionally, the FCM-H1 establishes an agreed upon minimum standard for surface
weather observation requirements and procedures for Continental United States (CONUS) Federal
meteorological agencies. Based on FCM-H1, this manual incorporates procedures applicable to
AF weather operations in both US and overseas locations.
1.2. The procedures in this manual apply to all AF Weather organizations or associated
contractors performing weather observing in support of AF, Army, or DoD wide
operations. No set of procedures can cover all possibilities in weather observing. Weather
personnel are expected to use their own judgment and experience, adhering as closely as possible
to the procedures in this manual, to describe phenomena not covered adequately in the following
chapters, while maintaining a focus on accuracy and safety of flight. Note: For the purposes of
this manual, all organizations, regardless of size or makeup, tasked with preparing weather
observations are referred to as weather flights (WFs) and detachments (Dets).
1.3. The AN/FMQ-19, AN/FMQ-22 and AN/FMQ-23 are certified AF fixed base weather
observing systems (FBWOS). During controlled airfield hours, position-certified weather
personnel will be physically present at an airfield weather services location to augment FBWOS
observations. (T-3). Note: For the purposes of this manual, with regards to airfield status,
“controlled” refers to periods of time that the airfield is being controlled by an air traffic control
(ATC) tower and is designated as Class B, C or D airspace.