Hurricane Hunters track Gustav

Hurricane Hunters flying WC-130J Hercules aircraft are continuing to track Hurricane Gustav and now Hurricane Hannah. Citizen Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., have been tracking Gustav over the past several days as it grew from a depression into a Category 4 hurricane. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett)

Hurricane Hunters track Gustav

Published Sept. 1, 2008

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) -- While Hurricane Gustav buffets their home, the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., continue to fly missions from their forward operating location at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.

As Gustav moves inland, Citizen Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are flying a WC-130J aircraft into the eye to provide the National Hurricane Center with data used to mark the intensity of the storm.

The 403rd Wing Hurricane Hunters have been flying into Gustav non-stop, 24 hours a day for the last week.

Other Reserve crews are monitoring Hurricane Hannah which is strengthening and could potentially threaten the U.S. later in the week. There also are several suspect areas in the Atlantic basin, including Tropical Depression 9 that forecasters at the NHC are watching.

(Courtesy of 403rd Wing Public Affairs)

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page

Hurricane Hunters track Gustav

Featured News