5th Weather Wing

• Origins During World War II: The 5th Weather Wing was originally constituted as the 5th Weather Wing, Air Corps, on 14 October 1943, serving primarily in the China-Burma-India Theater. • Weather Support to the "Hump" Operations: The unit played a critical role in providing weather forecasts for "The Hump" airlift, which involved dangerous flights over the Himalayas to resupply Chinese forces. • Redesignation and Reactivation: The Wing was inactivated after WWII but reactivated in 1948 to support the newly established United States Air Force during the early Cold War. • Role in the Korean War: 5th Weather Wing provided essential meteorological services for United Nations air operations, supporting U.S. and allied air campaigns. • Command Structure: It was assigned under the Air Weather Service, which later became part of the Military Airlift Command, reflecting its essential mission supporting air mobility. • Vietnam War Support: The Wing’s detachments were active throughout Southeast Asia, providing weather intelligence for air strikes, troop movements, and search and rescue missions. • Global Reach: At its height, the 5th Weather Wing had detachments and personnel stationed across Asia, including Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Vietnam. • Innovative Weather Technology: The Wing helped pioneer the use of advanced forecasting tools, including early computer modeling and radar meteorology in combat zones. • Training and Development: The 5th Weather Wing was responsible for training many USAF meteorologists and weather observers, some of whom became leaders in military and civilian meteorology. • Inactivation and Legacy: The Wing was inactivated on 1 September 1972. Its legacy continues through successor units, and its contributions are recognized as critical to the success of USAF air operations during its period of service.