Hurricane Hunters rebound, gear up for next storm

  • Published
  • By Bo Joyner
  • Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  For a week and a half, Air Force Reserve Command's Hurricane Hunters from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew in and out of Hurricane Katrina around the clock gathering data.

The Airmen provided the National Hurricane Center in Miami with critical information on the monster storm as it slowly and methodically marched its way from the Caribbean, across the southern tip of Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico before slamming into the Gulf Coast near New Orleans early Aug. 29.

The Hurricane Hunters have tracked hundreds of storms since flying their initial humanitarian hurricane surveillance mission in 1976. But Katrina was definitely something special. Not only was it one of the most powerful storms to ever strike the United States, but it hit perilously close to the 53rd's home base -- Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

The reservists from the 53rd who tracked the storm as it made landfall had a bird's-eye view as Katrina dealt a devastating blow to Keesler. Some watched from the sky as their own homes and neighborhoods were leveled.

"I would estimate that 70 percent of our people were directly affected by Katrina. ... their homes were either damaged or, in some cases, destroyed," said Lt. Col. James Linder, the squadron’s commander.

Since the storm made landfall, the colonel has had his hands full trying to make sure all of his people are OK and are getting the help they need. However, at the same time he realizes that despite the difficult circumstances, his squadron still has a critical mission to accomplish.

As of Sept. 1, the National Hurricane Center was closely watching three new storms that were brewing in the Caribbean.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we're going to have a lot of time to recover from Katrina," Colonel Linder said.

He and about 90 Airmen with the squadron temporarily set up shop here, and more of their fellow reservists are arriving every day. Seven of the squadron's 10 specially equipped WC-130 Hercules aircraft are here, two are being used for training at Little Rock AFB, Ark., and one is safely parked in a hangar at Keesler.

"Our No. 1 priority right now is to make sure all of our people are safe," Colonel Linder said. "We want the people who lost their homes to concentrate on taking care of their families right now. We've had a great response from our people who live outside of the Keesler area.

"We're gearing up right now to begin flying new storm missions the beginning of next week (Sept. 5)," he said.

The Hurricane Hunters have made several flights from Dobbins back to Keesler to pick up critical equipment they will need to track the next storm and to bring more members of the unit to the 53rd's temporary home in Marietta, just north of Atlanta.

"It looks like we might be working out of Dobbins for quite some time," the colonel said. "The runway at Keesler is open, but the base received extensive damage. We really don't have any idea yet when we might be heading back that way."

As the Hurricane Hunters recover from Katrina and, at the same time, rapidly get ready for the next storm, they can take pride in the vital service they provide to the country.

"When you look at what has happened (with Hurricane Katrina), it really emphasizes the importance of what we do," Colonel Linder said. "The people who predict where hurricanes are going to go are 30 percent more accurate with the information we provide than they are without it. That extra accuracy translates into millions of dollars saved because some areas don't have to evacuate. But, more importantly, that extra accuracy means more lives are saved."

"I truly believe we helped save thousands of lives," said Maj. John Gordon, a squadron weather officer. "It's been tough for everybody, but it helps to know that what you are doing really makes a difference in the lives of countless people." (Courtesy of AFRC News Service)