[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 117 (Thursday, August 2, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 545--COMMEMORATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF AIR FORCE 
                                WEATHER

  Mr. JOHANNS (for himself and Mr. Nelson of Nebraska) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 545

       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
       Resolved, 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.

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