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KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 2013 tropical storm season was uneventful compared to previous years for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, flying the least amount of weather missions since the 1960s.
This year, one of the country's premier forecasting teams at Colorado State University are predicting another quiet season with nine named storms and only three hurricanes. Whatever Mother Nature brings this hurricane season, which starts June 1 and ends Nov. 30, the 53rd WRS will be ready.
The squadron began their exercise in vigilance by setting up shop during an annual event called "Roll Out." Airmen from the 403rd Wing spent May 5-11 preparing the forward operating location, Detachment 53, at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Typically, storm taskings on the Atlantic side of the United States are flown from St. Croix or Keesler and storms impacting the Hawaiian Islands are flown from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.
The Hurricane Hunters need at least 16 hours-notice from the National Hurricane Center, plus flight time to the forward operating location to deploy for a storm tasking, said Lt. Col. Roy Deatherage, 53rd WRS meteorologist.
The mission doesn't happen without support from other career fields. Members from the communications flight, and the aerial port, maintenance, security forces and civil engineer squadrons worked together to clean, repair and prepare the detachment for the upcoming season.
"It takes a little bit of every organization in the 403rd Wing to make this mission happen," said Lt. Col. Erik B. Olson, 53rd WRS pilot and Roll Out mission commander. "There are projects to be done from all specialties to make sure we are ready for the season. And, no matter what this season or any other holds in store, we will always be prepared to do our mission ... safely and professionally."
Maintenance is a key player in mission accomplishment. Some equipment remains at the detachment year-long, while other items are rotated out every December and May for maintenance purposes.
"The equipment which remained here over the winter season is serviced and cleaned to ensure it runs properly," said Senior Master Sgt. Jim Curtis, 403rd Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment flight chief.
While maintenance squadron Airmen serviced equipment, communications specialists set up computers, televisions and radios.
"We ensure they are working properly for the upcoming storm season," said Senior Master Sgt. Keith Gardner, 403rd Communications Flight superintendent. Who added that the communications squadron also performed maintenance and corrosion control measures on the tower antenna.
Personnel from the 403rd Civil Engineer Squadron replaced a ventilation fan in the hangar, which was considered an important repair item for the team due to the high temperatures and humidity in St. Croix, said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Wieckowski, 403rd CES electrical superintendent. CE also conducted a preventative maintenance inspection on the building's generator, and repaired a water leak.
While Airmen set up the detachment, 403rd Security Forces Squadron Airmen assessed new anti-terrorism plans. Although the island seems to be military friendly, preventative protection measures are always vital, said Master Sgt. Lucas Applewhite, the 403rd Wing anti-terrorism planner.
By week's end 403rd Airmen had the facility ready to handle the workload of another hurricane season ensuring 53rd WRS hurricane hunters can quickly respond to any NHC tasking to assist their forecasters and save lives and property.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2017 14:17 |
| Story ID: | 219912 |
| Location: | KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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