Pacific Air Forces has consolidated its weather operations, moving the 20th Operational Weather Squadron from Yokota AB, Japan, to merge with the 17th OWS at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Officials say the new arrangement improves weather support in the Pacific region, comprising 95 million square miles. All the weather personnel are in one center, using new technology to provide forecasts and converse with Combat Weathermen serving at forward locations. As a whole, the Air Force now has seven operational weather squadrons around the world.
The Air Force will send off its final A-10 Thunderbolt II from depot maintenance this month and deactivate the unit that performs overhauls, upgrades, and rebuilds on the venerable close air support jet.
