diff --git a/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_atmosphere/suite_questions.yaml b/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_atmosphere/suite_questions.yaml
index 9db1cd1b..9dcf3013 100644
--- a/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_atmosphere/suite_questions.yaml
+++ b/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_atmosphere/suite_questions.yaml
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
 cycle_times:
   default_value: ['T00', 'T06', 'T12', 'T18']
   options: ['T00', 'T06', 'T12', 'T18']
+
+window_type:
+  default_value: '4d'
diff --git a/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_atmosphere/task_questions.yaml b/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_atmosphere/task_questions.yaml
index 9a11b899..35d20241 100644
--- a/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_atmosphere/task_questions.yaml
+++ b/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_atmosphere/task_questions.yaml
@@ -242,6 +242,3 @@ window_length:
 window_offset:
   default_value: PT3H
 
-window_type:
-  default_value: 4D
-
diff --git a/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_ocean/suite_questions.yaml b/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_ocean/suite_questions.yaml
index f29c4a4c..06e7eef4 100644
--- a/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_ocean/suite_questions.yaml
+++ b/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_ocean/suite_questions.yaml
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
 cycle_times:
   default_value: ['T00', 'T12']
   options: ['T00', 'T12']
+
+window_type:
+  default_value: '3d'
diff --git a/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_ocean/task_questions.yaml b/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_ocean/task_questions.yaml
index 4d819509..b0d1ac7f 100644
--- a/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_ocean/task_questions.yaml
+++ b/src/swell/configuration/jedi/interfaces/geos_ocean/task_questions.yaml
@@ -88,6 +88,3 @@ window_length:
 window_offset:
   default_value: PT6H
 
-window_type:
-  default_value: 3D
-
diff --git a/src/swell/deployment/create_experiment.py b/src/swell/deployment/create_experiment.py
index b63a8007..e465af08 100644
--- a/src/swell/deployment/create_experiment.py
+++ b/src/swell/deployment/create_experiment.py
@@ -362,8 +362,9 @@ def prepare_cylc_suite_jinja2(logger, swell_suite_path, exp_suite_path, experime
         'start_cycle_point',
         'final_cycle_point',
         'runahead_limit',
+        'window_type',
         'model_components',
-        'platform',
+        'platform'
     ]
 
     # Copy elements from experiment dictionary to render dictionary
diff --git a/src/swell/suites/3dvar/flow.cylc b/src/swell/suites/3dvar/flow.cylc
index 7abb1214..cea87406 100644
--- a/src/swell/suites/3dvar/flow.cylc
+++ b/src/swell/suites/3dvar/flow.cylc
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
             # Task triggers for: {{model_component}}
             # ------------------
             # Get background
-            GetBackground-{{model_component}}
+            GetBackground3d-{{model_component}}
 
             # Get observations
             GetObservations-{{model_component}}
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
             BuildJediByLinking[^]? | BuildJedi[^]  => RunJediVariationalExecutable-{{model_component}}
             StageJedi-{{model_component}}[^] => RunJediVariationalExecutable-{{model_component}}
             StageJediCycle-{{model_component}} => RunJediVariationalExecutable-{{model_component}}
-            GetBackground-{{model_component}} => RunJediVariationalExecutable-{{model_component}}
+            GetBackground3d-{{model_component}} => RunJediVariationalExecutable-{{model_component}}
             GenerateBClimatologyByLinking-{{model_component}} => RunJediVariationalExecutable-{{model_component}}
             GetObservations-{{model_component}} => RunJediVariationalExecutable-{{model_component}}
 
@@ -128,8 +128,8 @@
     [[StageJediCycle-{{model_component}}]]
         script = "swell task StageJedi $config -d $datetime -m {{model_component}}"
 
-    [[ GetBackground-{{model_component}} ]]
-        script = "swell task GetBackground $config -d $datetime -m {{model_component}}"
+    [[ GetBackground3d-{{model_component}} ]]
+        script = "swell task GetBackground3d $config -d $datetime -m {{model_component}}"
 
     [[GetObservations-{{model_component}}]]
         script = "swell task GetObservations $config -d $datetime -m {{model_component}}"
diff --git a/src/swell/suites/hofx/flow.cylc b/src/swell/suites/hofx/flow.cylc
index 86e9d43e..cbb28281 100644
--- a/src/swell/suites/hofx/flow.cylc
+++ b/src/swell/suites/hofx/flow.cylc
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
             CloneGeosAna-{{model_component}}[^] => GenerateObservingSystemRecords-{{model_component}}
 
             # Get background
-            GetBackground-{{model_component}}
+            GetBackground{{window_type}}-{{model_component}}
 
             # Get observations
             GetObservations-{{model_component}}
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
             BuildJediByLinking[^]? | BuildJedi[^]  => RunJediHofxExecutable-{{model_component}}
             StageJedi-{{model_component}}[^] => RunJediHofxExecutable-{{model_component}}
             StageJediCycle-{{model_component}} => RunJediHofxExecutable-{{model_component}}
-            GetBackground-{{model_component}} => RunJediHofxExecutable-{{model_component}}
+            GetBackground{{window_type}}-{{model_component}} => RunJediHofxExecutable-{{model_component}}
             GetObservations-{{model_component}} => RunJediHofxExecutable-{{model_component}}
             GenerateObservingSystemRecords-{{model_component}} => RunJediHofxExecutable-{{model_component}}
 
@@ -136,8 +136,8 @@
     [[StageJediCycle-{{model_component}}]]
         script = "swell task StageJedi $config -d $datetime -m {{model_component}}"
 
-    [[ GetBackground-{{model_component}} ]]
-        script = "swell task GetBackground $config -d $datetime -m {{model_component}}"
+    [[ GetBackground{{window_type}}-{{model_component}} ]]
+        script = "swell task GetBackground{{window_type}} $config -d $datetime -m {{model_component}}"
 
     [[GetObservations-{{model_component}}]]
         script = "swell task GetObservations $config -d $datetime -m {{model_component}}"
diff --git a/src/swell/suites/hofx/suite_questions.yaml b/src/swell/suites/hofx/suite_questions.yaml
index 71c889f6..6e81b220 100644
--- a/src/swell/suites/hofx/suite_questions.yaml
+++ b/src/swell/suites/hofx/suite_questions.yaml
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+window_type:
+  ask_question: True
+  default_value: 3d
+  options: ['3d', '4d']
+  prompt: Do you want to use a 3d or 4d (including FGAT) window?
+  type: string-drop-list
+
 start_cycle_point:
   ask_question: True
   default_value: '2021-12-12T00:00:00Z'
diff --git a/src/swell/tasks/get_background3d.py b/src/swell/tasks/get_background3d.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0e805854
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/swell/tasks/get_background3d.py
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+# (C) Copyright 2021- United States Government as represented by the Administrator of the
+# National Aeronautics and Space Administration. All Rights Reserved.
+#
+# This software is licensed under the terms of the Apache Licence Version 2.0
+# which can be obtained at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.
+
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+from swell.tasks.base.task_base import taskBase
+
+import isodate
+import os
+from r2d2 import fetch
+
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+r2d2_model_dict = {
+    'geos_atmosphere': 'geos',
+    'geos_ocean': 'mom6_cice6_UFS',
+}
+
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class GetBackground3d(taskBase):
+
+    def execute(self):
+
+        """Acquires 3D background files for a given experiment and cycle
+
+           Parameters
+           ----------
+             All inputs are extracted from the JEDI experiment file configuration.
+             See the taskBase constructor for more information.
+        """
+
+        bkg_step = None
+
+        # Parse config
+        background_experiment = self.config.background_experiment()
+        forecast_offset = self.config.analysis_forecast_window_offset()
+        horizontal_resolution = self.config.horizontal_resolution()
+        window_length = self.config.window_length()
+        window_offset = self.config.window_offset()
+
+        # Get window parameters
+        local_background_time = self.da_window_params.local_background_time(window_offset, '3D')
+
+        # Add to jedi config rendering dictionary
+        self.jedi_rendering.add_key('local_background_time', local_background_time)
+
+        # Convert to datetime durations
+        # -----------------------------
+        window_length_dur = isodate.parse_duration(window_length)
+        forecast_offset_dur = isodate.parse_duration(forecast_offset)
+
+        # Duration between the start of the forecast that generated the background
+        # and the middle of the current window
+        # -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+        forecast_duration_for_background = window_length_dur - forecast_offset_dur
+
+        # Append the list of backgrounds to get with the first background
+        # -----------------------------------------------------------------
+        bkg_step = isodate.duration_isoformat(forecast_duration_for_background)
+
+        # Get the forecast start time
+        # ---------------------------
+        forecast_start_time = self.cycle_time_dto() - window_length_dur + forecast_offset_dur
+
+        # Get name of this model component
+        # --------------------------------
+        model_component = self.get_model()
+
+        # Loop over background files in the R2D2 config and fetch
+        # -------------------------------------------------------
+        self.logger.info(f"Background step being fetched: {bkg_step}")
+
+        # Get r2d2 dictionary
+        r2d2_dict = self.jedi_rendering.render_interface_model('r2d2')
+
+        # Loop over fc
+        # ------------
+        for fc in r2d2_dict['fetch']['fc']:
+
+            # Reset target file
+            # --------------------
+            file_type = fc['file_type']
+            target_file_template = fc['filename']
+
+            # Set the datetime format for the output files
+            # --------------------------------------------
+            background_time = forecast_start_time + isodate.parse_duration(bkg_step)
+
+            # Set the datetime templating in the target file name
+            # ---------------------------------------------------
+            target_file = background_time.strftime(target_file_template)
+
+            fetch(
+                date=forecast_start_time,
+                target_file=target_file,
+                model=r2d2_model_dict[model_component],
+                file_type=file_type,
+                fc_date_rendering='analysis',
+                step=bkg_step,
+                resolution=horizontal_resolution,
+                type='fc',
+                experiment=background_experiment)
+
+            # Change permission
+            os.chmod(target_file, 0o644)
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/swell/tasks/get_background.py b/src/swell/tasks/get_background4d.py
similarity index 78%
rename from src/swell/tasks/get_background.py
rename to src/swell/tasks/get_background4d.py
index a7196ee7..3e803bcf 100644
--- a/src/swell/tasks/get_background.py
+++ b/src/swell/tasks/get_background4d.py
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-class GetBackground(taskBase):
+class GetBackground4d(taskBase):
 
     def execute(self):
 
-        """Acquires background files for a given experiment and cycle
+        """Acquires 4D background files for a given experiment and cycle
 
            Parameters
            ----------
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ def execute(self):
         # Get duration into forecast for first background file
         # ----------------------------------------------------
         bkg_steps = []
+        #raise ValueError(str(self.config.__model_components__))
 
         # Parse config
         background_experiment = self.config.background_experiment()
@@ -48,11 +49,9 @@ def execute(self):
         horizontal_resolution = self.config.horizontal_resolution()
         window_length = self.config.window_length()
         window_offset = self.config.window_offset()
-        window_type = self.config.window_type()
 
         # Get window parameters
-        local_background_time = self.da_window_params.local_background_time(window_offset,
-                                                                            window_type)
+        local_background_time = self.da_window_params.local_background_time(window_offset, "4D")
 
         # Add to jedi config rendering dictionary
         self.jedi_rendering.add_key('local_background_time', local_background_time)
@@ -70,9 +69,8 @@ def execute(self):
         # If the window type is 4D then remove the window offset as first background
         # occurs at the beginning of the window
         # -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-        if window_type == "4D":
-            window_offset_dur = isodate.parse_duration(window_offset)
-            forecast_duration_for_background = forecast_duration_for_background - window_offset_dur
+        window_offset_dur = isodate.parse_duration(window_offset)
+        forecast_duration_for_background = forecast_duration_for_background - window_offset_dur
 
         # Append the list of backgrounds to get with the first background
         # -----------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -80,28 +78,27 @@ def execute(self):
 
         # If background is provided though files get all backgrounds
         # ----------------------------------------------------------
-        if window_type == "4D":
+        bkg_freq_dur = isodate.parse_duration(background_frequency)
 
-            bkg_freq_dur = isodate.parse_duration(background_frequency)
+        # Check for a sensible frequency
+        # ------------------------------
+        if (window_length_dur/bkg_freq_dur) % 2:
+            self.logger.abort('Window length not divisible by background frequency')
 
-            # Check for a sensible frequency
-            # ------------------------------
-            if (window_length_dur/bkg_freq_dur) % 2:
-                self.logger.abort('Window length not divisible by background frequency')
+        print('self.cycle_time_dto()', self.cycle_time_dto())
+        print('window_offset_dur', window_offset_dur)
 
-            # Loop over window
-            print('self.cycle_time_dto()', self.cycle_time_dto())
-            print('window_offset_dur', window_offset_dur)
+        start_date = self.cycle_time_dto() - window_offset_dur
+        final_date = self.cycle_time_dto() + window_offset_dur
 
-            start_date = self.cycle_time_dto() - window_offset_dur
-            final_date = self.cycle_time_dto() + window_offset_dur
+        loop_date = start_date + bkg_freq_dur
 
-            loop_date = start_date + bkg_freq_dur
-
-            while loop_date <= final_date:
-                duration_in = loop_date - start_date + forecast_duration_for_background
-                bkg_steps.append(isodate.duration_isoformat(duration_in))
-                loop_date += bkg_freq_dur
+        # Loop over window
+        # ----------------
+        while loop_date <= final_date:
+            duration_in = loop_date - start_date + forecast_duration_for_background
+            bkg_steps.append(isodate.duration_isoformat(duration_in))
+            loop_date += bkg_freq_dur
 
         # Get the forecast start time
         # ---------------------------
diff --git a/src/swell/tasks/task_questions.yaml b/src/swell/tasks/task_questions.yaml
index 5dcdcd10..cceaee2b 100644
--- a/src/swell/tasks/task_questions.yaml
+++ b/src/swell/tasks/task_questions.yaml
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ analysis_forecast_window_offset:
   - all
   prompt: What is the duration from the middle of the window when forecasts start?
   tasks:
-  - GetBackground
+  - GetBackground{{window_type}}
+  - GetBackground3d
+  - GetBackground4d
   - LinkGeosOutput
   - MoveDaRestart
   - PrepareAnalysis
@@ -43,21 +45,24 @@ background_experiment:
   - all
   prompt: What is the name of the name of the experiment providing the backgrounds?
   tasks:
-  - GetBackground
+  - GetBackground{{window_type}}
+  - GetBackground3d
+  - GetBackground4d
   - StoreBackground
   type: string
 
 background_frequency:
   ask_question: false
   default_value: defer_to_model
-  depends:
-    key: window_type
-    value: 4D
+#  depends:
+#    key: window_type
+#    value: 4d
   models:
   - all
   prompt: What is the frequency of the background files?
   tasks:
-  - GetBackground
+  - GetBackground{{window_type}}
+  - GetBackground4d
   - RunJediHofxExecutable
   - RunJediVariationalExecutable
   - StoreBackground
@@ -355,7 +360,9 @@ horizontal_resolution:
   tasks:
   - GenerateBClimatology
   - GenerateBClimatologyByLinking
-  - GetBackground
+  - GetBackground{{window_type}}
+  - GetBackground3d
+  - GetBackground4d
   - RunJediHofxExecutable
   - RunJediLocalEnsembleDaExecutable
   - RunJediVariationalExecutable
@@ -389,9 +396,9 @@ jedi_build_method:
 jedi_forecast_model:
   ask_question: true
   default_value: defer_to_model
-  depends:
-    key: window_type
-    value: 4D
+#   depends:
+#     key: window_type
+#     value: 4d
   models:
   - all
   options: defer_to_model
@@ -825,7 +832,9 @@ window_length:
   - all
   prompt: What is the duration for the data assimilation window?
   tasks:
-  - GetBackground
+  - GetBackground{{window_type}}
+  - GetBackground3d
+  - GetBackground4d
   - GetGeovals
   - GetGsiBc
   - GetObservations
@@ -846,7 +855,9 @@ window_offset:
   tasks:
   - EvaObservations
   - GenerateBClimatology
-  - GetBackground
+  - GetBackground{{window_type}}
+  - GetBackground3d
+  - GetBackground4d
   - GetGeovals
   - GetObservations
   - GsiBcToIoda
@@ -858,22 +869,3 @@ window_offset:
   - SaveObsDiags
   - StoreBackground
   type: iso-duration
-
-window_type:
-  ask_question: true
-  default_value: defer_to_model
-  models:
-  - all
-  options:
-  - 3D
-  - 4D
-  prompt: Do you want to use a 3D or 4D (including FGAT) window?
-  tasks:
-  - GenerateBClimatology
-  - GetBackground
-  - RunJediHofxExecutable
-  - RunJediLocalEnsembleDaExecutable
-  - RunJediVariationalExecutable
-  - StoreBackground
-  type: string-drop-list
-
diff --git a/src/swell/test/suite_tests/geosadas-tier1.yaml b/src/swell/test/suite_tests/geosadas-tier1.yaml
index 9ff9be29..7772ce7e 100644
--- a/src/swell/test/suite_tests/geosadas-tier1.yaml
+++ b/src/swell/test/suite_tests/geosadas-tier1.yaml
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ jedi_build_method: use_existing
 existing_jedi_source_directory: /discover/nobackup/gmao_ci/swell/tier2/stable/build_jedi/jedi_bundle/source/
 existing_jedi_build_directory: /discover/nobackup/gmao_ci/swell/tier2/stable/build_jedi/jedi_bundle/build/
 bundles: REMOVE
+window_type: 3d
 model_components: ['geos_atmosphere']
 models:
   geos_atmosphere:
@@ -41,7 +42,6 @@ models:
     #- sondes
     - ssmis_f17
     produce_geovals: false
-    window_type: 3D
     gradient_norm_reduction: 1e-6
     number_of_iterations:
     - 5