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Hurricane Hunters take message to Capitol Hill

  • Published
WASHINGTON --  Hurricane Hunters don't just fly down into the eye of a hurricane. They fly right through the "eyewall" into the storm.

Members of Congress, congressional staffers and military legislative assistants learned this detail and other fascinating facts about the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron's unique mission May 7-8.

"Last year we flew into the eye of a hurricane 162 times, and that's not counting the smaller storms," said Maj. Chad Gibson, 403rd Wing chief of public affairs. "At any given time, we can fly into three separate storms and collect critical data."

Brig. Gen. James R. Muscatell, 403rd Wing commander, joined Major Gibson in briefing more than 60 congressional members and staffers from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The reservists from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., showed videos of the Hurricane Hunters in action and provided a comprehensive briefing about the wing's missions.

In addition to talking about the weather reconnaissance mission, the reservists spoke about the wing's 815th Airlift Squadron, nicknamed the Flying Jennies, and the squadron's C-130J Hercules tactical capabilities in overseas contingency operations.

The 403rd Wing's story is just one of many Air Force Reserve missions shared with Congress during the past decade.

Twice a year, representatives from Air Force Reserve Command units present unique missions and capabilities to key congressional contacts. These "From the Field" briefs are organized by the Policy Integration Directorate for the Office of the Air Force Reserve in the Pentagon.

"We know that congressional staffers want to hear from the troops. This is our way in the Air Force Reserve to get our missions and people visibility on Capitol Hill," said Lt. Col. Vanessa Dornhoefer, an individual mobilization augmentee in the directorate. "It's also a way to continue building our valuable relationships with congressional members and their staff."

The directorate has hosted a variety of From the Field briefings. These briefings have featured members of an aeromedical crew, an F-22 pilot and combat search and rescue people from the 920th Rescue Wing. While the briefings often showcase a specific mission, they also provide the Air Force Reserve with visibility and presence on Capitol Hill.

Staffers and members of Congress usually ask questions after these presentations. During the most recent briefing, many were curious about the technical aspects of the C-130J and impact of a high-ops tempo on reservists.

Several staffers wanted to know about the 53rd's relationship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the unit's winter storm plan mission, alternate locations for aircraft and details about the airframe.

Some people in the audience sought general information about the Air Force Reserve. General Muscatell and Major Gibson answered questions about reservists' civilian employer relationships, equipment and modernization needs, and the wing's social media initiatives.

"The 403rd's memorable briefing helped put a face on the Air Force Reserve," said Colonel Dornhoefer.

"We are constantly re-working our strategy to make sure we are providing the right information at the right time to congressional staffers," she said. "This briefing put the Air Force Reserve on the congressional radar as hurricane season approaches."

In addition to organizing "From the Field" briefings, the policy integration directorate handles all congressional engagements for the Air Force Reserve.

These duties include preparing Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., chief of Air Force Reserve and AFRC commander, and Brig. Gen. Howard "Dallas" Thompson, deputy to the chief of Air Force Reserve, for congressional meetings and testimony.

The directorate staff also handles all Air Force Reserve congressional inquiries and hosts Air Force Reserve "101" briefings and the Office of Air Force Reserve's headquarters orientation courses. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)