Weather squadron re-activates Published Aug. 3, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Claudette Hutchinson HQ Air Force Weather Agency SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- In a ceremony July 20 at Carolina Skies, the 9th Operational Weather Squadron was reactivated after 15 years of inactivity. Col. Tom Frooninckx, 1st Weather Group commander, presided over the historical occasion. "This reactivation will align stateside weather operations and create a more efficient and effective organizational structure," said Col. Frooninckx. The squadron was originally established as the 9th Weather Squadron at Morrison Field, Fla., in 1942. After numerous reorganizations and realignment, Commander Col. Judson Stailey deactivated the squadron in 1991. On July 20, a retired Col. Stailey returned to witness the re-activation of the 9th OWS at Shaw. "I'm so proud to be here today -- to see that through all the changes, the 9th WS, under a slightly different name, will continue to enhance the proud tradition of outstanding weather support to the U.S. warfighters," he said. During the same ceremony, Maj. Jonathan Kelly assumed command of the organization. Maj. Kelly was most recently assigned as the 26th OWS Commander at Barksdale AFB, La. Now as 9th OWS commander, Maj. Kelly will lead the 120-member unit in production of weather analyses and forecasts for military forces operation at 80 locations in the southeastern United States. "I suspect this is not going to be an easy task, but I think it will be fun nonetheless. We should not squander this great and special opportunity. Future members will judge and be judged based on the standard we, the charter members set, so, we need to do it right," said the Major. The 9th OWS will report directly to the newly reactivated 1st Weather Group. The 1st WXG was reactivated May 25 at Offutt AFB, Neb. The group is part of the Air Force Weather Agency, Offutt AFB. The 9th OWS is the last of four CONUS operational weather squadrons to be realigned under the umbrella of the 1st WXG. According to Col. Frooninckx, the 9th OWS mission is enormously challenging. Some of their responsibilities include providing weather analyses, forecasts and aircrew weather briefings to nearly 100 Air Force, Army, Reserve and Guard units, assigned to six major commands and two combatant commands within an eight-state region. However, he said he is confident Maj. Kelly and the members of his squadron are ready to meet the challenge. For his newly acquired team members, Col. Frooninckx had a few words of advice, reminiscent of a proud father. "Maj. Kelly, take care of your people and take care of your mission -- they are inseparable. Members of the 9th OWS, give Maj. Kelly your full support and perform your mission in the proud tradition of the 9th WS," he said. Maj. Kelly will assume the responsibility for a mission that has been performed by the 28th OWS at Shaw for seven years. During that period, the CONUS weather operations center has matured, demonstrated flexibility and build an outstanding record of achievement, said Col. Frooninckx. "The organizational change will be seamless to the warfighter and to all military units requiring weather information. They will continue to receive complete environmental situational awareness. We are not changing what we do -- we are changing how we do it," said Col. Frooninckx.