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A Reserve Citizen Airman from the 624th Civil Engineering Squadron gives critical instructions while directing teammates during a live firefighting exercise in Kahului, Maui, Sept. 8, 2024.

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260810-F-RC519-1099

Two WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, prepare for the next mission at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 10, 2026. Between missions, the WC-130J is washed after flights over salt water, primarily to remove salt spray and help prevent corrosion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg)
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260806-F-RC519-1004

U.S. Air Force reservists, assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, conduct a pre-flight briefing before a routine training flight at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 6, 2026. The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters reconnaissance missions cover the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of America and central Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg)
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260806-F-RC519-1061

1st Lt. Rileigh Sevigny, a navigator assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, inputs coordinates during a routine training flight at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 6, 2026. Navigators also monitor the radar and help the pilots avoid the most dangerous weather, including tornadic activity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg)
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260806-F-RC519-1045

1st Lt. Regan Lemaire, a pilot assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, conducts a routine training flight at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 6, 2026. The 53rd WRS is the only operational military weather reconnaissance unit in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg)
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260807-F-RC519-1082

Three WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, wait on the flight line for the next mission at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 10, 2026. The 403rd Wing currently has 10 WC-130Js assigned to the 53rd WRS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg)
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260806-F-RC519-1016

Tech. Sgt. Vincent Boyd, a loadmaster assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, conducts pre-flight checks before a routine training flight at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 6, 2026. Loadmasters assigned to the 53rd WRS are responsible for the aircraft's cargo, equipment, and also operate the dropsonde system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg)
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260806-F-RC519-1030

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, is ready for the aircrew’s arrival at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 6, 2026. The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters aircrew has a minimum of five people consisting of an aircraft commander, co-pilot, navigator, aerial reconnaissance weather officer, and loadmaster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg)
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260806-F-RC519-1069

U.S. Air Force reservists, assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, monitor a radar during a routine training flight at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 6, 2026. Navigators track the aircraft's position and movement during the flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg)
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Dropsonde

Tech. Sgt. Karen Moore, a loadmaster for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, prepares a dropsonde to be released into the eyewall of Hurricane Irma. Crews have recently been flying missions continuously in three different hurricanes in the Atlantic region simultaneously. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)
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Aerial Spray

A modified U.S. C-130 aircraft, assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing, sprays water simulating a pesticide solution during a field exercise as part of the Department of Defense Aerial Spray Certification Course, Jan. 13, 2016. The 910th Airlift Wing has been tasked with providing its unique aerial spray capability to assist with recovery efforts in eastern Texas, following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Youngstown Air Reserve Station's 910th Airlift Wing is home to DoD’s only aerial spray mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.)
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MAFFs

Smoke and the start of a fire retardant containment line dropped by a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft near California’s South Fork Fire, south of Yosemite National Park are visible, Aug. 14, 2017. MAFFS-equipped C-130s and aircrews from the Air Force Reserve are providing support to the U.S. Forest Service fire suppression efforts from Air Tanker Base Fresno, California. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Thomas Freeman)
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Hurricane Hunters close out 2015 season

Air Force reservists with the 403rd Wing, based at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, load an 815th Airlift Squadron C-130J with equipment as part of the “Roll Up” Jan. 10-17, 2016 at the Henry Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The airport is the forward operating base for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brian J. Lamar)
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Hurricane Hunters fly record breaking storm

Capt. Chase Allen and Capt. Jordan Mentzer pilot through Hurricane Patricia in pitch black conditions October. 23 2015. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Brian Lamar)
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Hurricane Hunters fly storms from Hawaii, Georgia

Tech. Sgt. Jenna Daniel, a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, logs information on a dropsonde to be dropped in the eyewall of Hurricane Joaquin during a mission into the storm Oct. 2, 2015. Hurricane Joaquin has downgraded to a Category 1 storm. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteloene)
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War on Weather

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, or "Hurricane Hunters," is an Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The unit provides meteorological data to the National Hurricane Center in Miami to improve their forecasts. While the squadron is aligned under AFRC, weather reconnaissance taskings originate at the NHC, which falls, not under the Department of Defense, but the Department of Commerce. (U.S. Air Force graphic)
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Hurricane Katrina: 10 years later

The most infamous storm in U.S. history, Hurricane Katrina carved a path of destruction from Miami to New Orleans, and up the Eastern United States. The storm reached a maximum intensity of Category 5 status, with 175 mph sustained winds. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the morning of August 29, 2005. This infrared satellite imagery shows the storm’s intensity: white is the most intense, followed by red, green, and blue. (Image courtesy of NOAA)
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Maintaining the mission

Maintenance members with the 403rd Maintenance Group walk out to recover a WC-130J following a weather reconnaissance mission (U.S. Air Force file photo/Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo)
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403rd CES performs their final roll out with Hurricane Hunters

Master Sgt. Kevin Shows, 403rd Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning craftsman, works on a condensing unit for an air conditioner May 5 at the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters” facilities at their forward operating location at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. This is slated to be the last storm season for the civil engineers to maintain the facility in St. Croix due to the 403rd CES scheduled inactivation Sept. 15, 2015. (Courtesy photo)
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403rd CES performs their final roll out with Hurricane Hunters

Staff Sgt. Walter Pinkerton (left), 403rd Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuels system management craftsman, and Senior Airman Nathin Schuessler, 403rd CES structural journeyman, repaint faded lines on the airfield taxiways May 5 at the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters” forward operating location at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. This is slated to be the last storm season for the civil engineers to maintain the facility in St. Croix due to the 403rd CES scheduled inactivation Sept. 15, 2015. (Courtesy photo)
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Hurricane Hunters begin awareness tour in Canada

Maj. Nicole Mitchell, an Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer speaks with Canadian Air Cadets during the Halifax, Nova Scotia stop of the 2015 Hurricane Awareness Tour at the Halifax-Stanfield International Airport May 3. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Brian Lamar)
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