7th Weather Squadron The 7th Weather Squadron ( 7WS ) , based out of Heidelberg , Germany , is a combat weather squadron providing weather intelligence to supported warfighters in the United States European Command ( USEUCOM ) and abroad . Mission . Enhance USEUCOM land component effectiveness by equipping aligned warfighters to fully exploit weather impacts in planning and decision - making processes . Provide fully trained Battlefield Airmen to support command - directed taskings across the full spectrum of Expeditionary Squadron capabilities . Personnel and resources . There are currently 70 members in the 7th Weather Squadron . They consist of AF meteorologists , airfield systems support staff , knowledge operations managers , and personnelists . The squadron is responsible for over $ 4 million in resources and equipment , Kestrel 4000 , TMOS ( Tactical Meteorologic Observation System ) , laser rangefinder , and Iridium phones . Duty Assignments . Headquarters Heidelberg , Baden Wurtemberg . The 7 WS headquarters is located in Heidelberg , Germany . It consists of the Commander and support staff as well as 5 sections . These sections include Director of Current Operations ( DOO ) , Director of Operations Superintendent ( DOS ) , Director of Operations Logistics ( DOL ) , Director of Operations Contingency ( DOX ) , and Director of Operations Training ( DOT ) . These sections , along with the Commander and support staff work in tandem to maximize the warfighting capabilities of the detachments assigned to the 7 WS . Detachment 1 – Wiesbaden . Detachment 1 , 7th Weather Squadron is located at Wiesbaden Army Airfield , Germany . Their mission is to provide and / or arrange for decision - scale environmental intelligence for the 1st Armored Division , while optimizing flight safety and resource protection for all parent and host organizations . Detachment 1 prides themselves on being combat ready to fight for freedom anywhere the United States Army and Air Force ’ s Europe deploy . Detachment 2 – Grafenwoehr . Detachment 2 , 7th Weather Squadron , is located at Grafenwoehr Army Air Field , Germany . Their mission is to enhance warfighter capability by interpreting meteorological impact upon training and real - world operations with optimized staff weather liaison support to Joint Multinational Command Training Center ( JMTC ) , Joint Multinational Readiness Center ( JMRC ) , 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment ( 2SCR ) , 172nd Infantry Brigade ( 172 BCT ) , 1 / 214th Aviation Regiment , G . Company 52nd Aviation Regiment MEDEVAC , and NATO allies . As a secondary mission support role , Detachment 2 also hosts exercise CADRE FOCUS . Cadre Focus . " Cadre Focus " is a weeklong course that prepares USAFE Battlefield Weather Forecasters for downrange deployments in support of United States Army , United States Air Force , and joint operations by enhancing tactical meteorological operational and warrior combat skills expertise with an end state of improved success in mission accomplishment , improved service camaraderie , and individual self - confidence . Detachment 3 – Vicenza . Detachment 3 is located in Vicenza , Italy . Detachment 3 ' s airmen operate in support of US Army Africa and the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team ( 173 ABCT ) . Foremost is the monitoring of Army operations across Africa for weather impacts and seasonal trends ( e . g . drought , flooding ) . In Autumn 2009 , the detachment continued its history of innovative weather support by deployment in support of Operation NATURAL FIRE in Uganda , where cooperative weather sensing and forecasting efforts between Det 3 , the Uganda National Weather Center , and CJTF - HOA METOC were successful and helped support future deployments to the continent . Detachment 4 – Katterbach . Detachment 4 , 7th Weather Squadron , is located on Katterbach Kaserne ( Ansbach Army Heliport ) , Germany . Based in Bavaria , their mission is to support MEDEVAC and cargo rotary assets of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade with area and location specific forecasts , as well as climatology and long - range forecasts to key headquarters staff . Personnel work with Detachment 5 personnel from Illesheim to provide comprehensive support to all facets of 12 CAB operations . Detachment 5 – Illesheim . Detachment 5 , 7th Weather Squadron , is located at Illesheim Army Heliport , Germany . Their mission is to provide decision - grade weather intelligence to 12 CAB Attack Aviation units . This is done by producing timely and accurate forecasts to mitigate mission limiting weather impacts to supported weapons systems . The Airmen of Detachment 5 have and will continue to personify combat readiness by honorably serving on combat deployments with both United States Army and Air Force assets in the USEUCOM , USAFRICOM , and USCENTCOM theaters . Operation Location Alpha ( OL - A ) – Mannheim . OL - A is located at Coleman Army Airfield , Mannheim , Germany . OL - A ' s primary function is to provide flight weather forecasting and resource protection for US Army , Europe ’ s ( USAREUR ) Coleman Army Airfield and Heidelberg Army Airfield . The team supports rotary wing VIP airlift operations across Europe ; including movement of the USAREUR Commanding General and senior staff . Additionally , the team provides weather support for test flights following major maintenance and repair activity . Emblem . The squadron symbol consists of a roundel , with a background of green and blue , divided from top to bottom . Over this background is a cumulonimbus ( CB ) cloud with lightning and rainfall falling from the cloud . Superimposed over the CB is an M - 1 rifle , pointing from the lower left to the upper right . Over the rifle is a sling psychrometer , pointing from lower right to upper left . A ribbon at the base of the roundel states " E NUBIBUS INFORMATIO " , which freely translated means " information from the clouds " . The blue background color is symbolic of Air Force heritage and the green background color is symbolic of the Army support that 7 WS provides . Awards . Campaign Streamer , Asian Pacific Theater ( 7 Dec 41 – 6 Dec 43 ) Battle Credits ( authority ) Central Pacific ( WDGO Dec 46 ) Philippine Islands ( WDGO Dec 46 ) Western Pacific ( WDGO Dec 46 ) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award USAF Organizational Excellence Award 1 Jul 00 - 30 Jun 2002