3d WS celebrates its 75th anniversary

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas --  With a rich military heritage dating back to the U.S. Army Signal Corps, the 3d Weather Squadron, celebrated its 75th anniversary at Fort Hood, Texas, June 25, with a dining out.

From the mission all the way down to the unit patch the 3d WS is unique.

"The squadron patch was designed by Walt Disney," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Coxwell, 3d WS commander. "The character is Cupid from the movie, 'Fantasia', Disney granted the rights to that image to the government in 1943 for $1, and it has been ours ever since."

With its roots coming from the Army Signal Corp and being one of three squadrons organized when the weather function was transferred from the Signal Corp to the Army Air Corps, it is only fitting the 3d WS supports the Army mission.

"When the squadron was created, it was part of the Army," said Coxwell. "The squadron has come and gone, from supporting the Air Force exclusively to supporting only the continental United States. In 1994 we transferred the flag to Fort Hood, and we have maintained that mission and alignment with 3rd Corps, for the last 18 years."

The squadron's mission is to support the U.S. Army in a variety of ways, from flight weather briefings to weather tactical decision aids for combat missions.

"We are responsible for a huge spectrum of tasks and it is all centered on the Army," Coxwell said. "We protect the lives, protect the equipment and facilitate the mission."

Along with its rich heritage, the 3d WS has had influential people within its squadron, to include Capt. Leon W. Johnson, who went on to become a four-star general.

"From your very inception as a unit, you have had people who made a difference," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Chris Ramboli, guest speaker for the 75th Anniversary Dining out. "Your first commander was Capt. Leon W. Johnson, who earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Ploesti Raid of 1943, and eventually rose to the rank of general, one of two weather officers to attain that rank."

From past to present the squadron has been involved in numerous conflicts, most recently ranging from Operation Desert Shield, Saudi Arabia, to Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. As it is aligned with the Army's III Corps, the 3d WS has kept a deployed presence in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Kuwait since March 30, 2003.

"We have rotated personnel continuously through Iraq and Afghanistan and more recently Kuwait and Afghanistan, Coxwell stated, "and the whole time, in support of the Army."

Working alongside the Army allows the squadron's personnel to embrace their heritage.

"Nowadays, organizations see it as Air Force units are Air Force units, Army units are Army units, but we come from the same history," said Coxwell.

For 75 years the 3d WS has supported a proud mission. From its birth in the Army Signal Corps, to working alongside the Army in the present, the 3d WS has been there and will continue supporting the mission.