Oct. 10, 2021 Hurricane Hunters wrap up Hurricane Sam missions The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters, from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, began flying the storm after moving to their forward operating location in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, to collect weather data and provide the National Hurricane Center more
July 8, 2021 Hurricane Hunters wrap up Elsa recon ahead of landfall The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters wrapped up their aerial reconnaissance efforts for Tropical Storm Elsa, July 7, after the storm made landfall on the northwest coast of Florida.
May 25, 2021 Hurricane Hunters upgrade ARWO software The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters” aerial reconnaissance weather officer and loadmaster/dropsonde operator stations are being upgraded with hardware and software to increase their weather collecting capabilities.
Dec. 17, 2020 Hurricane Hunters hunt first winter storm of the season As of Nov. 1, the winter storm season began, and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron took off for their first tasking of the season Dec. 15.
Dec. 2, 2020 403rd Wing weathers record storm season A historical hurricane season means a packed schedule for the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing and their 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters.” Throw in a pandemic and four evacuations and this season was one of the busiest for the Reserve Airmen.
Sept. 18, 2020 Hurricane Hunters track Sally The Hurricane Hunters fly through tropical systems to gather weather data that they provide to the National Hurricane Center for their use in updating the storm forecast warnings.
July 28, 2020 Hurricane Hunters fly first Pacific hurricane The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircrew flew into the first hurricane of the Pacific Ocean season to collect weather data to assist the Central Pacific Hurricane Center with their forecasts.
May 27, 2020 Hurricane Hunters participate in online National Tropical Weather Conference The event is a national forum where experts in tropical meteorology inform media and business members about hurricane preparedness so they can better prepare their communities for when a hurricane threatens, said Alex Garcia, NTWC director and the Storm Science Network’s president and chief
May 18, 2020 Hurricane Hunters fly first mission of 2020 Atlantic season The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the only Department of Defense organization that flies weather reconnaissance, is expected to fly into Invest 90L throughout the weekend to provide weather data by satellite communication to the National Hurricane Center in Miami to improve their computer
March 3, 2020 Hurricane Hunters fly winter storm A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft departed Keesler Air Force Base midday to fly the western Atlantic flight track, off the Northeast coast.
Feb. 10, 2020 Hurricane Hunters fly atmospheric rivers The Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to perform “AR recon” from January through March. Scientists, led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California, San Diego, working in partnership with the 53rd WRS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service
Dec. 3, 2019 53rd WRS reflects on 2019 hurricane season The 2019 hurricane season officially ended Nov. 30, and was an active one for the Reserve Airmen of the 53rd WRS, widely known as the Hurricane Hunters.
Nov. 19, 2019 NOAA, NHC visit 53rd WRS Hurricane Hunters On Nov. 13 and 14, the Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters hosted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Hunters and representatives from the NHC, National Center for Atmospheric Research and the Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination
Sept. 9, 2019 Hurricane Hunters finish flying Dorian Operations began with three WC-130J aircrafts and one C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 403rd Wing departing Keesler Air Force Base, Aug. 25, for Curaçao to provide weather reconnaissance support of what was then Tropical Storm Dorian.
Aug. 29, 2019 Hurricane Hunters fly Hurricane Dorian Due to a lack of radar and weather balloons availability over the Atlantic Ocean, the 53rd WRS flies into the storms, gathers the data and provides this data to the NHC to assist with their forecasts and storm warnings by transmitting the information gathered via satellite communication
June 3, 2019 Reserve Airmen hunt hurricanes This specialized unit of Reserve Airmen is made up of a five-person crew consisting of a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, aerial reconnaissance weather officer and loadmaster who is also the dropsonde operator.
May 14, 2019 Building a weather-ready nation The purpose of the tour is to help create a weather-ready nation by raising awareness for the upcoming hurricane season occurring June 1 – Nov. 30, with an emphasis this year on raising awareness about inland flooding.
April 16, 2019 International outreach mission builds relationships, promotes hurricane preparedness Hurricane season starts June 1 and to help communities prepare, the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters and a team of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters visited six throughout Mexico and the Caribbean April 8-13 as part of the annual Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour.
Feb. 5, 2019 Hurricane Hunters fly Atmospheric Rivers In November 2018, California experienced one of its most destructive fires with more than 150,000 acres burned, 18,000 homes destroyed, over 80 deaths, and with the winter rainfall season ahead, heavy rain can bring flooding and mudslides.
Dec. 3, 2018 Hurricane Hunters close out active 2018 hurricane season The 2018 hurricane season, which ended Nov. 30, was an active one for the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters, who flew more than 655 hours and 83 missions into 12 named storms over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.