SQUADRONS

223rd Weather Observation Squadron- Joint Base Cabot Air Station

The JBCAS Weather Station supports safe flight operations, emergency management, and base readiness through real-time meteorological monitoring and forecasting.

Services Provided:

• 24/7 Aviation Weather Observations (METARs, TAFs)

• Severe Weather Watches and Warnings

• Pilot Weather Briefings (standard, DD-175-1 certified)

• Lightning Warning System monitoring and advisories

• Storm Damage Assessment and Recovery Support

Severe Weather Alerts:

• Disseminated via base-wide mass notification systems (Giant Voice, AtHoc)

• Airfield operations may be suspended during periods of lightning within 5NM or surface winds exceeding 50 knots.

Contact Information:

• Weather Operations Desk: 501-555-1520

• Location: Building 455, Weather Center

• Hours: 24/7 Operations

Weather & Environmental Reconnaissance Detachment (WERD)

Joint Base Cabot Air Station (JBCAS)

MISSION STATEMENT

The Weather & Environmental Reconnaissance Detachment (WERD) conducts airborne and remote sensing missions in support of base weather operations, environmental awareness, infrastructure planning, and operational risk assessment across Central Arkansas.

WERD provides supplemental observational data, survey products, and post-event analyses to the 223rd Weather Observation Squadron, Emergency Management, Airfield Operations, and Base Engineering offices.

ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE

WERD operates as a non-issuing, non-authoritative reconnaissance and analysis unit.

• WERD does not issue official watches or warnings

• WERD does not certify aviation weather briefs

• WERD does not suspend airfield operations

Instead, WERD functions as an upstream sensing and analysis element, feeding validated findings to operational authorities.

SUPPORTED UNITS

WERD directly supports:

• 223rd Weather Observation Squadron

• Airfield Operations

• Emergency Management

• Base Civil Engineering

• Range Operations (Ramona Live Fire Range)

• Mission Planning / ATC Operations (future integration)

PRIMARY AIRCRAFT

Diamond DA-42

Callsign: DIAMOND

The DA-42 provides a high-endurance, low-altitude sensing platform optimized for boundary-layer weather sampling, terrain and infrastructure survey, environmental reconnaissance, and photo documentation missions.

CORE MISSION SETS

1. WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE

Supplemental airborne sensing during:

• Winter weather events (icing, freezing rain, snow)

• Severe convection (wind shear, outflow boundaries)

• Low ceilings and IFR conditions

• Fog and visibility degradation

• Post-frontal wind shifts and gust behavior

Outputs include vertical profiles, area-specific assessments, trend confirmations, and post-event summaries.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL & GEOGRAPHIC SURVEY

Airborne surveys of:

• Lakes and reservoirs

• Rivers and floodplains

• Mountainous and forested terrain

• Seasonal drought, saturation, or flooding indicators

Outputs include environmental condition summaries and comparative trend observations.

3. INFRASTRUCTURE & ENGINEERING RECONNAISSANCE

Targeted surveys supporting planning and engineering decisions, including:

• Utility corridor documentation

• Obstruction and approach corridor surveys

• Drainage and terrain overview

• Expansion feasibility reconnaissance

Outputs include engineering action items, visual documentation, and planning recommendations.

4. POST-EVENT ASSESSMENT

Following severe weather or operational impacts, WERD conducts:

• Storm damage overview flights

• Flood extent documentation

• Infrastructure impact reconnaissance

• Environmental recovery observations

PRODUCT LIFECYCLE

1. Mission generated (scheduled or tasked)

2. Flight conducted (simulated or AI)

3. Data upload phase (20–30 minutes post-landing)

4. Product generation (snapshot, report, photos)

5. Dissemination to supported units

RELATIONSHIP TO WEATHER OPERATIONS

WERD functions as a sensor and analysis extension of the 223rd Weather Observation Squadron.

WERD findings may inform watches, warnings, aviation briefings, and operational risk decisions; final authority remains with the Weather Operations Desk.

ACRONYM

WERD — Weather & Environmental Reconnaissance Detachment

Callsign: DIAMOND