diff --git a/jobs/JREGIONAL_GET_EXTRN_MDL_FILES b/jobs/JREGIONAL_GET_EXTRN_MDL_FILES
index 1c07956433..c75c709b2a 100755
--- a/jobs/JREGIONAL_GET_EXTRN_MDL_FILES
+++ b/jobs/JREGIONAL_GET_EXTRN_MDL_FILES
@@ -93,10 +93,11 @@ check_var_valid_value "ICS_OR_LBCS" "valid_vals_ICS_OR_LBCS"
 if [ "${ICS_OR_LBCS}" = "ICS" ]; then
   export TIME_OFFSET_HRS=${EXTRN_MDL_ICS_OFFSET_HRS:-0}
   export EXTRN_MDL_NAME=${EXTRN_MDL_NAME_ICS}
-
+  GFS_FILE_FMT=${FV3GFS_FILE_FMT_ICS}
 elif [ "${ICS_OR_LBCS}" = "LBCS" ]; then
   export TIME_OFFSET_HRS=${EXTRN_MDL_LBCS_OFFSET_HRS:-0}
   export EXTRN_MDL_NAME=${EXTRN_MDL_NAME_LBCS}
+  GFS_FILE_FMT=${FV3GFS_FILE_FMT_LBCS}
 fi
 
 #
@@ -159,10 +160,10 @@ case ${EXTRN_MDL_NAME} in
 # The transition date from the GSMGFS to the FV3GFS was 2019061212, i.e.
 # this was the first official forecast with the FV3GFS.  So we set the
 # last CDATE for the GSMGFS to the one 6 hours before this.
-  cdate_max="2019061206"
-  if [ "$EXTRN_MDL_CDATE" -gt "$cdate_max" ]; then
+  CDATE_max="2019061206"
+  if [ "$EXTRN_MDL_CDATE" -gt "$CDATE_max" ]; then
     print_err_msg_exit "\
-      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $cdate_max max)"
+      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $CDATE_max max)"
   fi
   ;;
 
@@ -171,11 +172,20 @@ case ${EXTRN_MDL_NAME} in
 # this was the first official forecast with the FV3GFS.  However, paral-
 # lel runs with the FV3GFS go back to 2018121500.  So we set the first 
 # EXTRN_MDL_CDATE for the FV3GFS to this date and time.
-#  CDATE_min="2019061212"
   CDATE_min="2018121500"
+  CDATE_min_netcdf="2021032100"
+  CDATE_max_nemsio="2021032018"
   if [ "$EXTRN_MDL_CDATE" -lt "$CDATE_min" ]; then
     print_err_msg_exit "\
-      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $cdate_min min)"
+      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $CDATE_min min)"
+  elif [ "${GFS_FILE_FMT}" = "netcdf" ] && [ "${EXTRN_MDL_CDATE}" -lt "${CDATE_min_netcdf}" ]; then
+    print_err_msg_exit "\
+      NETCDF is not available for this date:: However, NEMSIO is available:: \
+      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $CDATE_min_netcdf min)"
+  elif [ "${GFS_FILE_FMT}" = "nemsio" ] && [ "${EXTRN_MDL_CDATE}" -gt "${CDATE_max_nemsio}" ]; then
+    print_err_msg_exit "\
+      NEMSIO is not available for this date:: However, NETCDF is available::  \
+      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $CDATE_max_nemsio max)"
   fi
   ;;
 
@@ -185,7 +195,7 @@ case ${EXTRN_MDL_NAME} in
   CDATE_min="2015070100"
   if [ "$EXTRN_MDL_CDATE" -lt "$CDATE_min" ]; then
     print_err_msg_exit "\
-      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $cdate_min min)"
+      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $CDATE_min min)"
   fi
   ;;
 
@@ -196,7 +206,7 @@ case ${EXTRN_MDL_NAME} in
   CDATE_min="2014103000"
   if [ "$EXTRN_MDL_CDATE" -lt "$CDATE_min" ]; then
     print_err_msg_exit "\
-      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $cdate_min min)"
+      $(data_unavailable $EXTRN_MDL_NAME $EXTRN_MDL_CDATE $CDATE_min min)"
   fi
   ;;
 
diff --git a/parm/FV3LAM_wflow.xml b/parm/FV3LAM_wflow.xml
index 622e0b42d6..97d2f1a700 100644
--- a/parm/FV3LAM_wflow.xml
+++ b/parm/FV3LAM_wflow.xml
@@ -307,7 +307,9 @@ MODULES_RUN_TASK_FP script.
   {%- endif %}
     <walltime>{{ wtime_get_extrn_ics }}</walltime>
     <nodesize>&NCORES_PER_NODE;</nodesize>
+  {%- if machine not in ["WCOSS2"] %}
     <native>&SCHED_NATIVE_CMD;</native>
+  {%- endif %}
     <jobname>&GET_EXTRN_ICS_TN;</jobname>
     <join>&LOGDIR;/&GET_EXTRN_ICS_TN;<cyclestr>_@Y@m@d@H</cyclestr>&LOGEXT;</join>
 
@@ -335,7 +337,9 @@ MODULES_RUN_TASK_FP script.
   {%- endif %}
     <walltime>{{ wtime_get_extrn_lbcs }}</walltime>
     <nodesize>&NCORES_PER_NODE;</nodesize>
+  {%- if machine not in ["WCOSS2"] %}
     <native>&SCHED_NATIVE_CMD;</native>
+  {%- endif %}
     <jobname>&GET_EXTRN_LBCS_TN;</jobname>
     <join>&LOGDIR;/&GET_EXTRN_LBCS_TN;<cyclestr>_@Y@m@d@H</cyclestr>&LOGEXT;</join>
 
diff --git a/parm/data_locations.yml b/parm/data_locations.yml
index 067708f99f..8297ac975a 100644
--- a/parm/data_locations.yml
+++ b/parm/data_locations.yml
@@ -64,17 +64,20 @@ FV3GFS:
           - gfs.t{hh}z.sfcanl.nemsio
         fcst:
           - gfs.t{hh}z.atmf{fcst_hr:03d}.nemsio
+          - gfs.t{hh}z.sfcf{fcst_hr:03d}.nemsio
       netcdf:
         anl:
           - gfs.t{hh}z.atmanl.nc
           - gfs.t{hh}z.sfcanl.nc
         fcst:
           - gfs.t{hh}z.atmf{fcst_hr:03d}.nc
+          - gfs.t{hh}z.sfcf{fcst_hr:03d}.nc
   hpss:
     protocol: htar
     archive_path:
       - /NCEPPROD/hpssprod/runhistory/rh{yyyy}/{yyyymm}/{yyyymmdd}
       - /NCEPPROD/hpssprod/runhistory/rh{yyyy}/{yyyymm}/{yyyymmdd}
+      - /NCEPPROD/hpssprod/runhistory/rh{yyyy}/{yyyymm}/{yyyymmdd}
     archive_internal_dir:
       - ./gfs.{yyyymmdd}/{hh}
       - ./gfs.{yyyymmdd}/{hh}/atmos
@@ -83,9 +86,11 @@ FV3GFS:
         anl:
           - gpfs_dell1_nco_ops_com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_pgrb2.tar
           - com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_pgrb2.tar
+          - com_gfs_v16.2_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_pgrb2.tar
         fcst:
           - gpfs_dell1_nco_ops_com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_pgrb2.tar
           - com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_pgrb2.tar
+          - com_gfs_v16.2_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_pgrb2.tar
       nemsio:
         anl:
           - gpfs_dell1_nco_ops_com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_nemsioa.tar
@@ -97,9 +102,11 @@ FV3GFS:
         anl:
           - gpfs_dell1_nco_ops_com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_nca.tar
           - com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_nca.tar
+          - com_gfs_v16.2_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_nca.tar
         fcst:
           - ['gpfs_dell1_nco_ops_com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_nca.tar', 'gpfs_dell1_nco_ops_com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_ncb.tar']
           - ['com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_nca.tar', 'com_gfs_prod_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_ncb.tar']
+          - ['com_gfs_v16.2_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_nca.tar', 'com_gfs_v16.2_gfs.{yyyymmdd}_{hh}.gfs_ncb.tar']
     file_names:
       <<: *gfs_file_names
   aws:
diff --git a/scripts/exregional_get_extrn_mdl_files.sh b/scripts/exregional_get_extrn_mdl_files.sh
index 824d2b4fdc..6a7eaa90b2 100755
--- a/scripts/exregional_get_extrn_mdl_files.sh
+++ b/scripts/exregional_get_extrn_mdl_files.sh
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ python3 -u ${USHdir}/retrieve_data.py \
   --data_stores ${data_stores} \
   --external_model ${EXTRN_MDL_NAME} \
   --fcst_hrs ${fcst_hrs[@]} \
+  --ics_or_lbcs ${ICS_OR_LBCS} \
   --output_path ${EXTRN_MDL_STAGING_DIR} \
   --summary_file ${EXTRN_DEFNS} \
   $additional_flags"
diff --git a/tests/WE2E/machine_suites/fundamental.cheyenne.gnu b/tests/WE2E/machine_suites/fundamental.cheyenne.gnu
index f269650e98..5cb49719b6 100644
--- a/tests/WE2E/machine_suites/fundamental.cheyenne.gnu
+++ b/tests/WE2E/machine_suites/fundamental.cheyenne.gnu
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-MET_verification
 grid_CONUS_25km_GFDLgrid_ics_FV3GFS_lbcs_FV3GFS_suite_GFS_v16
 grid_RRFS_CONUS_25km_ics_FV3GFS_lbcs_FV3GFS_suite_HRRR
 grid_RRFS_CONUS_25km_ics_FV3GFS_lbcs_FV3GFS_suite_RRFS_v1beta
diff --git a/tests/WE2E/test_configs/grids_extrn_mdls_suites_nco/config.nco_grid_RRFS_CONUS_25km_ics_FV3GFS_lbcs_FV3GFS_timeoffset_suite_GFS_v16.yaml b/tests/WE2E/test_configs/grids_extrn_mdls_suites_nco/config.nco_grid_RRFS_CONUS_25km_ics_FV3GFS_lbcs_FV3GFS_timeoffset_suite_GFS_v16.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bbfb59f8c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/WE2E/test_configs/grids_extrn_mdls_suites_nco/config.nco_grid_RRFS_CONUS_25km_ics_FV3GFS_lbcs_FV3GFS_timeoffset_suite_GFS_v16.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+metadata:
+  description: |-
+    This test is to ensure that the workflow running in nco mode completes
+    successfully on the RRFS_CONUS_25km grid using the FV3_GFS_v16 physics
+    suite with time-offset ICs/LBCs derived from the FV3GFS.
+user:
+  RUN_ENVIR: nco
+workflow:
+  CCPP_PHYS_SUITE: FV3_GFS_v16
+  DATE_FIRST_CYCL: '2022081012'
+  DATE_LAST_CYCL: '2022081012'
+  FCST_LEN_HRS: 6
+  PREEXISTING_DIR_METHOD: rename
+workflow_switches:
+  RUN_TASK_MAKE_GRID: false
+  RUN_TASK_MAKE_OROG: false
+  RUN_TASK_MAKE_SFC_CLIMO: false
+task_get_extrn_ics:
+  EXTRN_MDL_NAME_ICS: FV3GFS
+  FV3GFS_FILE_FMT_ICS: netcdf
+  EXTRN_MDL_ICS_OFFSET_HRS: 6
+task_get_extrn_lbcs:
+  EXTRN_MDL_NAME_LBCS: FV3GFS
+  FV3GFS_FILE_FMT_LBCS: netcdf
+  LBC_SPEC_INTVL_HRS: 3
+  EXTRN_MDL_LBCS_OFFSET_HRS: 6
+task_run_fcst:
+  PREDEF_GRID_NAME: RRFS_CONUS_25km
diff --git a/ush/machine/wcoss2.yaml b/ush/machine/wcoss2.yaml
index 4ed9ab7e3d..4a9bfcab50 100644
--- a/ush/machine/wcoss2.yaml
+++ b/ush/machine/wcoss2.yaml
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ task_run_fcst:
   FIXlut: /lfs/h2/emc/lam/noscrub/UFS_SRW_App/develop/fix/fix_lut
 data:
   GSMGFS: compath.py ${envir}/gsmgfs/${gsmgfs_ver}/gsmgfs.${PDY}
-  FV3GFS: compath.py ${envir}/gfs/${gfs_ver}/gfs.${PDY}
+  FV3GFS: compath.py ${envir}/gfs/${gfs_ver}/gfs.${PDY}/${hh}/atmos
   RAP: compath.py ${envir}/rap/${rap_ver}/rap.${PDY}
   NAM: compath.py ${envir}/nam/${nam_ver}/nam.${PDY}
-  HRRR: compath.py ${envir}/hrrr/${hrrr_ver}/hrrr.${PDY}
+  HRRR: compath.py ${envir}/hrrr/${hrrr_ver}/hrrr.${PDY}/conus
 
diff --git a/ush/retrieve_data.py b/ush/retrieve_data.py
index a0d7326832..e6ad879fbc 100755
--- a/ush/retrieve_data.py
+++ b/ush/retrieve_data.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 import sys
 from textwrap import dedent
 import time
+from copy import deepcopy
 
 import yaml
 
@@ -289,6 +290,16 @@ def get_file_templates(cla, known_data_info, data_store, use_cla_tmpl=False):
     """
 
     file_templates = known_data_info.get(data_store, {}).get("file_names")
+    file_templates = deepcopy(file_templates)
+
+    # Remove sfc files from fcst in file_names of external models for LBCs
+    # sfc files needed in fcst when time_offset is not zero.
+    if cla.ics_or_lbcs == "LBCS":
+        for format in ['netcdf', 'nemsio']:
+            for i, tmpl in enumerate(file_templates.get(format, {}).get('fcst', [])):
+                if "sfc" in tmpl:
+                    del file_templates[format]['fcst'][i]
+
     if use_cla_tmpl:
         file_templates = cla.file_templates if cla.file_templates else file_templates
 
@@ -946,6 +957,12 @@ def parse_args(argv):
         required=True,
         type=os.path.abspath,
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--ics_or_lbcs",
+        choices=("ICS", "LBCS"),
+        help="Flag for whether ICS or LBCS.",
+        required=True,
+    )
 
     # Optional
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/ush/test_retrieve_data.py b/ush/test_retrieve_data.py
index dffa638562..e35eac2dad 100644
--- a/ush/test_retrieve_data.py
+++ b/ush/test_retrieve_data.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ def test_fv3gfs_grib2_lbcs_from_hpss(self):
                 '--external_model', 'FV3GFS',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '6', '12', '3',
                 '--output_path', tmp_dir,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'LBCS',
                 '--debug',
                 '--file_type', 'grib2',
             ]
@@ -80,6 +81,7 @@ def test_fv3gfs_netcdf_lbcs_from_hpss(self):
                 '--external_model', 'FV3GFS',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '24', '48', '24',
                 '--output_path', tmp_dir,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'LBCS',
                 '--debug',
                 '--file_type', 'netcdf',
             ]
@@ -112,6 +114,7 @@ def test_gdas_ics_from_aws(self):
                 '--external_model', 'GDAS',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '6', '9', '3',
                 '--output_path', out_path_tmpl,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'LBCS',
                 '--debug',
                 '--file_type', 'netcdf',
                 '--members', '9', '10',
@@ -147,6 +150,7 @@ def test_gefs_grib2_ics_from_aws(self):
                 '--external_model', 'GEFS',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '6',
                 '--output_path', out_path_tmpl,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'ICS',
                 '--debug',
                 '--file_type', 'netcdf',
                 '--members', '1', '2',
@@ -180,6 +184,7 @@ def test_hrrr_ics_from_hpss(self):
                 '--external_model', 'HRRR',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '0',
                 '--output_path', tmp_dir,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'ICS',
                 '--debug',
             ]
             # fmt: on
@@ -209,6 +214,7 @@ def test_hrrr_lbcs_from_hpss(self):
                 '--external_model', 'HRRR',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '3', '24', '3',
                 '--output_path', tmp_dir,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'LBCS',
                 '--debug',
             ]
             # fmt: on
@@ -237,6 +243,7 @@ def test_hrrr_ics_from_aws(self):
                 '--external_model', 'HRRR',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '0',
                 '--output_path', tmp_dir,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'ICS',
                 '--debug',
             ]
             # fmt: on
@@ -265,6 +272,7 @@ def test_hrrr_lbcs_from_aws(self):
                 '--external_model', 'HRRR',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '3', '24', '3',
                 '--output_path', tmp_dir,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'LBCS',
                 '--debug',
             ]
             # fmt: on
@@ -294,6 +302,7 @@ def test_rap_ics_from_aws(self):
                 '--external_model', 'RAP',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '3',
                 '--output_path', tmp_dir,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'ICS',
                 '--debug',
             ]
             # fmt: on
@@ -323,6 +332,7 @@ def test_rap_lbcs_from_aws(self):
                 '--external_model', 'RAP',
                 '--fcst_hrs', '3', '30', '6',
                 '--output_path', tmp_dir,
+                '--ics_or_lbcs', 'LBCS',
                 '--debug',
             ]
             # fmt: on