III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 545 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 2, 2012 Mr. Johanns (for himself and Mr. Nelson of Nebraska) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Air Force Weather.

Whereas the United States Army Air Corps assumed responsibility for military weather services on July 1, 1937, beginning a legacy of superior service to Army and Air Force commanders for the next 75 years; Whereas the United States Army Air Forces activated the Weather Wing on April 14, 1943, in time to provide General Dwight D. Eisenhower with reports and forecasts vital to the success of Operation Overlord, the reentry of the Allies into Europe against resistance from German occupation forces, and subsequent operations in Europe and the Pacific; Whereas 68 personnel from the Weather Wing lost their lives in World War II; Whereas the Weather Wing was redesignated as the Army Air Forces Weather Service in 1945, and the Air Weather Service in 1946; Whereas, in July of 1947, the Air Weather Service became a part of the newly formed United States Air Force with a mission to support both the Army and Air Force; Whereas, in 1948, the Air Weather Service issued its first tornado warning; Whereas the Air Weather Service provided critical reports and forecasts to commanders, planners, and aircrews in support of the Berlin Airlift, enabling the successful efforts to stare down Premier of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin in the first major confrontation of the Cold War; Whereas the Air Weather Service has participated in every military operation from operations in Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan; Whereas the Air Weather Service was reorganized into a field operating agency on April 1, 1991, reporting directly to the Air Staff; Whereas, on October 15, 1997, the Air Weather Service was redesignated as the Air Force Weather Agency and subsequently headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Whereas, in June 2008, construction was completed on a new 188,000-square-foot headquarters building for the Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt Air Force Base; Whereas the civilian community surrounding Offutt Air Force Base fully recognizes the tremendous dedication and contributions of the personnel stationed at Offutt Air Force Base to the global fighting force, and likewise, base personnel express constant praise and appreciation to the civilian community for its outstanding support; Whereas, in close cooperation with the National Weather Service, Air Force Weather has supported a wide variety of missions from its base in Nebraska, including space launches and solar observation; and Whereas Air Force Weather has continued to produce timely, accurate, and continuous weather information to locate targets in any battle around the world or in space: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the 75th anniversary of Air Force Weather and its prominent role in national security; (2)remembers the immeasurable contributions of Air Force Weather in protecting the lives of members of the Armed Forces and citizens of the United States through timely and accurate reporting and forecasting; and (3)honors the 1,200 personnel who currently serve within Air Force Weather and those who have carried on its tradition of excellence through their continued service at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.