Which term refers to any certified AF-owned observing system capable of automatically collecting and disseminating observations?

• A. ASOS
• B. AWOS
• C. AMOS
• D. NWS

Answer: (C)

Identifying the Air Force owned automated weather observing system. This term refers to the Air Force’s own certified system that can automatically collect surface observations and disseminate them to the appropriate users. The Air Force uses its Automated Meteorological Observing System to feed weather data into military weather networks and operations.

Other terms describe automatic observing systems used by civilian agencies or different entities: ASOS and AWOS are automated observing systems, but they are not AF-owned; they’re operated by civilian agencies (FAA/NWS or airport authorities). NWS is the National Weather Service, an agency rather than an Air Force-owned system. So the label that specifically denotes an AF-owned, automatically operating observing system is the Automated Meteorological Observing System.