As a follow on from the template for the Air Force Special Operations Combat Controllers (SO64), I’ve decided to complete the third of the Air Force roles in US Special Operations, the other being the Pararescuemen (featured in this Pyramid article).
Ok, so you may be thinking, there are special operations weather dudes? Yep… and they actually fill a critical role in Spec Ops mission planning and execution, and they don’t just operate from back at the base. Special Operations Weather Team (SOWT) specialists are tactical observer/forecasters with ground combat capabilities and fall within the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The mission of a Special Operations Weather Team Specialist is to deploy by the most feasible means available into combat and non-permissive environments to collect and interpret meteorological data and provide air and ground forces commanders with timely, accurate intelligence. They collect data, assist mission planning, generate accurate and mission-tailored target and route forecasts in support of global special operations, conduct special weather reconnaissance and train foreign national forces. SOWTs provide vital intelligence and deploy with joint air and ground forces in support of direct action, counter-terrorism, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance, special reconnaissance, austere airfield, and combat search and rescue.
They gather, assess, and interpret weather and environmental intelligence from forward deployed locations, working primarily with Air Force and Army Special Operations Forces. SOWTs can also be attached to Marine MARSOC and Navy SEAL teams. They collect weather, ocean, river, snow and terrain intelligence, assist mission planning, generate accurate mission-tailored target and route forecasts in support of global special operations and train joint force members and coalition partners to take and communicate limited weather observations.
They operate on 2-3 man Environmental Reconnaissance Teams (ERT). ERT’s are attached to 8-9 man Special Tactics Teams (STT) alongside Combat Control (CCT) and Pararescue (PJ) personnel. Together they provide SOCOM a unique capability to establish and control austere airfields in permissive and non-permissive environments. Additionally, Special Operations Weathermen conduct special reconnaissance, fly small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS), collect upper air data, organize, establish and maintain weather data reporting networks, determine host nation meteorological capabilities and train foreign national forces.
Training
Special Operations Weather Selection Course, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas (2 weeks): This course focuses on sports physiology, nutrition, basic exercises, special operations weather history and fundamentals.
Special Operations Weather Initial Skills Course, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi (30 weeks): This course prepares special operations weather apprentices. Training includes basic, intermediate, and advanced meteorology, report writing and computer usage. Other topics include satellite meteorology, weather chart analysis, weather radar, weather products, tropical meteorology, synoptic level analytical meteorology, weather prognosis techniques, forecasting weather elements to include severe weather, synoptic lab, forecasting lab, and a unit on the weather career field and weather equipment. Additionally, this time is also used to train students physically and mentally for the rigors of the rest of their pipeline. Students train alongside combat controllers to develop the team mindset they will use during their career.
Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia (3 weeks): Trainees learn the basic parachuting skills required to infiltrate an objective area by static line airdrop.
Air Force Basic Survival School, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (2.5 weeks): This course teaches basic survival techniques for remote areas. Instruction includes principles, procedures, equipment and techniques, which enable individuals to survive, regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly environments and return home.
Air Force Water Survival Training, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (two days): This two-day course teaches principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment that enhance the ability to survive in a water environment and return to friendly control.
Air Force Underwater Egress Training, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington (one day): This course teaches the principles, procedures, and techniques necessary to successfully egress from a sinking aircraft. Experiencing water entry and performing underwater egress is part of the training.
Special Operations Weather Apprentice Course (Combat Control School), Pope Field, North Carolina (13 weeks): This 13-week course provides final special operations weather qualifications. Training includes physical training, austere weather operations, tactical weather observations, small unit tactics, land navigation, communications, demolitions, and field operations including parachuting. Upon completing the course graduates are awarded a 3-skill level (apprentice), gray beret and SOWT crest.
Special Tactics Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida (12–15 months): This four phase course, formal training, core tasks, employment readiness training, and operational readiness training, produces operators ready for deployment as special operations weathermen
Advanced Training:
The following is a list of schools which are available to certain SOWT candidates based upon the needs of their unit and the Air Force: Riverine Assessment, Avalanche Forecast, Military Freefall (HALO/HAHO), SCUBA, Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Pathfinder, Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course (RSLC), and numerous ground combat specialty courses
AF Spec Ops Weather Technician 109 Points
The Basic Skills for U.S. Air Force Special Ops Weather Technician appear below. NCOs, warrant officers or commissioned officers, and characters who have foreign language or advanced training, will have the appropriate Special Skills package(s) as well, which will increase template cost.
Attributes: ST 10 [0], DX 12 [20], IQ 14 [45], HT 11 [10].
Advantages: Fit [5], and 20 points in Desirable Advantages (SO51), Decorations (SO51), Military Rank (SO52) or Patrons (SO54).
Disadvantages: Extremely Hazardous Duty [-20], and -20 points selected from the Desirable Disadvantages list (SO56).
Basic Skills: Armoury (Small Arms) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-13, Brawling (P/E) DX [1]-12, Camouflage (M/E) IQ [1]-14, Climbing (P/A) DX [2]-12, Electronics Operation (Comm) (M/A) IQ [2]-14, Electronics Operation (Computers) (M/A) IQ [2]-14, Electronics Operation (Sensors) (M/A) IQ [2]-14, Escape (P/H) DX-1 [2]-11, First Aid (M/E) IQ [2]-14, Gunner (Machine Gun) (P/A) DX-1 [1]-13*, Guns (Grenade Launcher) (P/E) DX [1]-14*, Guns (LAW) (P/E) DX [1]-14*, Guns (Light Automatic) (P/E) DX [1]-14*, Guns (Pistol) (P/E) DX [1]-14*, Guns (Rifle) (P/E) DX [1]-14*, Hiking (P/A) HT-1 [1]-11, Jumping (P/E) DX [1]-12, Knife (P/E) DX-1 [1/2]-11, Leadership (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-13, Lifting (P/H ST) ST-1 [2]-10, Meteorology (M/A) IQ+1 [4]-15, NBC Warfare (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-13, Orienteering (M/A) IQ [2]-14, Parachuting (P/E) DX [1]-12, Savoir-Faire (Military) (M/E) IQ [1]-14, Scrounging (M/E) IQ-1 [1/2]-13, Scuba (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-12, Soldier (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-13, Spear (P/A) DX-1[1]-11, Stealth (PA) DX [2]-12, Survival (Desert) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-12, Survival (Jungle) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-12, Survival (Mountains) (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-12, Survival (Woodlands) (M/A) IQ-1 [1]-13, Swimming (P/E) DX [1]-12, Tactics (Infantry) (M/H) IQ-2 [1]-12, Throwing (P/H) DX [4]-12.
*Includes +2 for IQ.
Special Skills:
Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer** (+5 points): Increase Leadership to 14 [3]; add Administration (M/A) IQ [2]-13.
NCO** (+1 1/2 points): Increase Leadership to 13 [1]; add Administration (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-11.
Foreign Language (+2, 4 or 6 points): Add Language (any) (M/A) IQ [2]-14 (Basic), IQ+1 [4]-15 (Intermediate) or IQ+2 [6]-16 (Advanced).
HALO School (+6 pts): Increase Parachuting to 15 [6].
Combat Diver School (+1/2 pt): add Scuba (M/A) IQ-2 [1/2]-12
SUAV School (+2 pts): Add Piloting (UAV) (P/A) DX [2]-12.
** Military Rank [5/level] is required: Rank 1-2 for NCOs, Rank 3 for warrant officers, and Rank 3+ for commissioned officers.
Customization Notes: Spend your remaining points (41 points, in a 150-point campaign) to customize your character. Another -10 points in Acceptable Disadvantages (p. 56) and five quirks can be taken to get a further 15 points.
GURPS Special Ops 
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