In this forum, we discuss the physics of light propagation through the distributed volume atmosphere with a focus on the impact on the beam from distributed volume turbulence. The forum’s discussion also includes related topics in atmospheric propagation such as refractive layers, clouds, precipitation and dust/aerosols as well as devices suitable for measuring the distributed volume atmosphere, e.g. Lidar, and compensation of distributed volume effects. Since propagating through the distributed volume atmosphere is a new field of research, this forum expedites collaboration and cultivates a multidisciplinary exchange of information designed to expand our understanding of the full complexity and interactions of distributed volume effects, drawing upon the most recent results from the fields of boundary layer physics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, meteorology, adaptive optics, laser sciences and singular optics. Further the forum also covers topics not usually associated with atmospheric effects, such as the creation of photonic orbital angular momentum and parallels between Earth's atmosphere and astronomical TAMA.