Mobile Meteorological Unit
Encyclopedia
The Mobile Meteorological Unit (MMU) is a part of the United Kingdom
Met Office
that provides meteorological and environmental support to deployed elements of the UK’s joint forces, in order to enhance the effectiveness of national or combined contingency operations. Principally but not exclusively aviation at target, base and the route in between.
All MMU personnel are employed by the Met Office
and are RAF reservists, the Unit became the first ever Sponsored Reserve
Unit in the UK Armed Forces in the Autumn of 2000, incorporating a policy of making greater use of skills in the civil sector, although all members are expected to remain current with military skills as, once in theatre, they assume the same risks as any other member of Her Majesty's armed forces.
Currently located at RAF Scampton
, the MMU HQ is staffed by 13 full time personnel, with the other 55 staff based at various Met Offices across the UK and Europe. These part-time members of the MMU are Met Office personnel with jobs as forecasters, observers and engineers, and deploy as RAF Reserve personnel on operations and exercises whenever tasked.
When deployed, the MMU can quickly establish a 'temporary Met Office', using portable weather displays mirroring those used by forecasters 'back at home'. The Unit is currently deployed in the Middle East
and Afghanistan
. Personnel are also expected to deploy on exercises throughout the year; in 2006, 24 exercises were supported, a typical year for the MMU. As the UK’s contribution to the NATO International Security Assistance Force
mission expands during the next few months, it is likely that the Unit will deploy more personnel to Afghanistan.
The MMU contributes to the safety and effectiveness of air and aviation operations in deployed theatres, particularly in areas experiencing extreme environmental conditions. For this reason, the small but vital ACSU role filled by the MMU will continue to underpin the expeditionary capability of the UK’s air and aviation components.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Met Office
Met Office
The Met Office , is the United Kingdom's national weather service, and a trading fund of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
that provides meteorological and environmental support to deployed elements of the UK’s joint forces, in order to enhance the effectiveness of national or combined contingency operations. Principally but not exclusively aviation at target, base and the route in between.
All MMU personnel are employed by the Met Office
Met Office
The Met Office , is the United Kingdom's national weather service, and a trading fund of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
and are RAF reservists, the Unit became the first ever Sponsored Reserve
Sponsored Reserves
Sponsored Reserves are a category of reserve forces in the British Armed Forces, created by the Reserve Forces Act 1996 in order to allow certain support tasks to be carried out by trained professionals. These are tasks that must be carried out by service personnel in war time and other higher risk...
Unit in the UK Armed Forces in the Autumn of 2000, incorporating a policy of making greater use of skills in the civil sector, although all members are expected to remain current with military skills as, once in theatre, they assume the same risks as any other member of Her Majesty's armed forces.
Currently located at RAF Scampton
RAF Scampton
Royal Air Force Station Scampton is a Royal Air Force station situated north of Lincoln in England, near the village of Scampton, on the site of an old First World War landing field.-First World War:...
, the MMU HQ is staffed by 13 full time personnel, with the other 55 staff based at various Met Offices across the UK and Europe. These part-time members of the MMU are Met Office personnel with jobs as forecasters, observers and engineers, and deploy as RAF Reserve personnel on operations and exercises whenever tasked.
When deployed, the MMU can quickly establish a 'temporary Met Office', using portable weather displays mirroring those used by forecasters 'back at home'. The Unit is currently deployed in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. Personnel are also expected to deploy on exercises throughout the year; in 2006, 24 exercises were supported, a typical year for the MMU. As the UK’s contribution to the NATO International Security Assistance Force
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
mission expands during the next few months, it is likely that the Unit will deploy more personnel to Afghanistan.
The MMU contributes to the safety and effectiveness of air and aviation operations in deployed theatres, particularly in areas experiencing extreme environmental conditions. For this reason, the small but vital ACSU role filled by the MMU will continue to underpin the expeditionary capability of the UK’s air and aviation components.