Their most important role is to provide the warfighter tailored weather information that enhances combat effectiveness. Successfully accomplishing this role allows the commander to set the terms for battle to maximize his performance while taking advantage of limitations on enemy forces. Additionally, they provide information critical to peacetime operations, personnel safety and resource protection, and provide a vital link in the development of new equipment, weapons systems, combat tactics, and effectiveness analysis. And therefore I say, know the enemy, know yourself, your victory will never be endangered. By applying these principles, AFW will be better prepared to enhance and sustain military operations.
Commanders depend on accurate weather information to plan and direct their operations.
The complexity of the mission and amount of detail required, the capability to collect data, model and forecast the weather, the perishable nature of weather data, and human error all affect accuracy. Therefore, weather information will never be totally free of inaccuracy. These factors must be explained to decision makers so they may weigh them in making decisions. AFW is effective when a commander receives accurate weather information in time to consider its impact on the decision to be made. Weather information that could influence an operation or program is worthless whenever the commander receives it after an opportunity has passed, an irreversible decision has been made, or an operation is complete.