The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also known as the "Hurricane Hunters", is a United States Air Force Reserve unit and only unit in the Department of Defense that flies missions into tropical storms, hurricanes, and winter storms to gather weather data to improve forecasts. The squadron is part of the 403rd Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit based at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (Video by 403rd Wing Public Affairs)
Before the hurricane season had even ended, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron experienced their first taste of winter operations.While they’re known for their mission supporting the National Hurricane Operations Plan which involves flying into – not around, not over – severe tropical systems to collect atmospheric data from June through November, the Air Force Reserve’s “Hurricane Hunter” unit does not hibernate for the winter.
The 22nd Air Force conducted a two-week long exercise, with more than 15 units participating in this year’s Rally in the Pacific exercise, Sept. 9-23, 2023. The exercise was held in the Indo-Pacific region, primarily Guam, Palau and the Philippines, with the main operating location out of Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii.
For more than a decade, U.S. Navy Capt. (ret.) Beth Sanabia, Dr. Steve Jayne and over 40 U.S. Naval Academy and Woods Hole Oceanography Institute interns have spent part of their summers in places such as the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Hawaii.
The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron weather officers received a new static training station July 19. The aerial reconnaissance weather officer static trainer is a replica of the weather pallet from the WC-130J Super Hercules, which include the window the weather officer looks out of to view the storm and waves on the surface of the water and includes the control panel located in front of the weather officer’s seat.
