About this Unit
Fleet Weather Center Pearl Harbor (FWC Pearl Harbor) was established in October 2010 as part of the U.S. Navy's efforts to consolidate and enhance meteorological and oceanographic support in the Pacific region. The unit traces its heritage to earlier naval weather activities in Hawaii, dating back to World War II, when weather forecasting played a vital role in Pacific operations. FWC Pearl Harbor provides critical weather, oceanographic, and space environment support to U.S. Pacific Fleet operations, enabling safe and effective naval missions. Today, it remains a key component of the Navy’s global METOC (Meteorology and Oceanography) enterprise, ensuring mission success through timely and accurate environmental information.
Historical Facts
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Historic Origins: The Fleet Weather Center Pearl Harbor traces its beginnings to World War II, when the U.S. Navy recognized the critical importance of weather forecasting for operations in the Pacific Theater.
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Pearl Harbor Attack: During the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, naval meteorologists were already providing weather briefings, highlighting the long-standing role of weather support in Pacific operations.
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Strategic Location: Situated in Hawaii, the center occupies a key position for monitoring and forecasting weather across the vast Pacific Ocean, supporting both naval and joint operations.
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24/7 Operations: Fleet Weather Center Pearl Harbor operates around the clock, delivering continuous weather data, forecasts, and warnings to naval units, ensuring operational safety and effectiveness.
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Support to Submarines: The center provides specialized oceanographic and meteorological services for U.S. Navy submarine fleets, which are particularly sensitive to ocean and weather conditions.
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Humanitarian Missions: Forecasters at the center have played critical roles in disaster response, providing real-time weather updates during typhoons, tsunamis, and other Pacific emergencies.
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Advanced Technology: The center utilizes state-of-the-art meteorological tools, satellite imagery, and modeling to provide highly accurate and timely forecasts for naval and joint forces.
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Training Hub: Fleet Weather Center Pearl Harbor is a key training location for Navy and joint-service meteorologists, providing advanced instruction in operational weather support.
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Joint Operations: The center works closely with the Air Force’s 17th Operational Weather Squadron, demonstrating joint-service cooperation in Pacific weather operations.
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Evolution of Names: Over the decades, the unit has evolved under different designations, including the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), which is co-located at Pearl Harbor and serves a vital role in Pacific typhoon forecasting.
