WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With hurricane season underway and forecasts predicting an above-normal Atlantic season, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” took to Capitol Hill June 24 to deliver a critical message to congressional staff members: their mission saves lives, property and taxpayer dollars.
The squadron, part of the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, is the Department of Defense’s only unit dedicated to aerial weather reconnaissance.
Joined by key partners from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aircraft Operation Center and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, members of the 53rd WRS briefed staffers on their unique and increasingly vital role in forecasting extreme weather.
“This partnership between NOAA, the Air Force, and institutions like Scripps represents the gold standard of interagency collaboration,” said Lt. Col. Steven Burton, 53rd WRS director of operations. “Together, we gather the data that helps the National Hurricane Center make timely, accurate forecasts. That’s what allows communities to prepare and survive.”
Flying into the Eye
Flying aboard WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, 53rd WRS crews conduct both low-level investigations, flying between 500 and 1,500 feet, and “fix” missions at up to 10,000 feet. During fix missions, aircrews typically penetrate the eye of a storm two to four times, releasing instruments called dropsondes that measure temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and barometric pressure from the aircraft to the ocean surface.
According to Burton, the data collected by the 53rd WRS is transmitted to the NHC and assimilated into multiple computer models that try to predict a storm’s track and intensity. The information helps government officials and emergency managers make timely decisions about evacuations and preparations.
“When the NHC sees something developing in the Atlantic, they rely on us to verify if there’s a closed circulation, determine storm intensity, and provide hourly updates as systems approach land,” Burton said. “The closer it gets to the U.S. coast, the more frequent our flights become.”
The squadron can launch 24-hour operations from multiple locations, including Keesler AFB, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Hawaii.
NOAA's Expanding Capabilities
Cmdr. Kevin Doremus, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations headquarters and flies with the NOAA AOC at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida, underscored the complementary nature of NOAA’s operations, which include the high-flying Gulfstream IV “Gonzo” for collecting data in the upper atmosphere surrounding developing hurricanes and the WP-3D Orion aircrafts “Kermit” and “Miss Piggy” for low-level intensity measurements.
“Our aircraft are equipped with tail Doppler radar, which acts like a CT scan of the storm,” Doremus explained. “It provides vertical profiles of precipitation and wind fields — critical inputs for intensity forecasts.”
With aging airframes from the 1970s, NOAA is in the midst of a major aircraft recapitalization. Two new WC-130Js — the same aircraft used by the 53rd WRS — are on contract to replace NOAA’s P-3s, and two Gulfstream 550s will replace the aging G-IV. The first G550 is expected in 2026, and their first WC-130J is planned for 2030.
“Upgrading our fleet ensures we can continue delivering mission-critical data to forecasters,” Doremus said. “Every time we fly, we improve forecast accuracy by 10 to 15 percent. That reduction in the cone of uncertainty can save millions, even hundreds of millions, in unnecessary evacuations.”
Atmospheric Rivers and Beyond
While hurricanes dominate headlines, atmospheric rivers — long, narrow bands of concentrated moisture from the Pacific — also bring extreme weather and flood risk to the western United States. Dr. Anna M. Wilson, Assistant Director of Atmospheric River Reconnaissance at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at Scripps, highlighted how airborne data collection supports flood forecasting and water management.
“These observations are essential for improving precipitation forecasts,” Wilson said. “They help water managers in the West determine when to store or release water from reservoirs — decisions that impact millions.”
The atmospheric river reconnaissance program, operational since 2020, deploys both NOAA and 53rd WRS aircraft to drop instruments across the Pacific, often from bases such as Mather Airfield, California, or Kalaeloa Airport, Hawaii. More recently, these missions have extended into the Western Pacific, where forecasters hope to gain longer lead times. This year, the 53rd WRS conducted missions from Yokota Air Base in Japan to support AR missions in the Western Pacific — a growing area of interest.
In one example, Wilson explained how data from airborne sensors improved storm predictions for northern California, helping optimize water storage in key reservoirs. “It’s not just about safety — it’s about efficiency, drought mitigation, and long-term planning,” she said.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite their success, the 53rd WRS and its partners face challenges. Personnel shortages, supply chain issues affecting aircraft parts, and the need for upgraded communications — particularly for real-time data transmission — are all ongoing concerns.
“The number one upgrade we need is broadband data transmission,” Burton said. “Right now, we still use a hard drive to pull radar data off the aircraft after a flight. That needs to change.”
Doremus echoed the concern, noting that NOAA is working on automating data pipelines and testing new technologies like miniature dropsondes and uncrewed systems capable of loitering in storm environments.
Both Burton and Doremus stressed the importance of providing predictable, adequate, sustained and timely funding to modernization in order to keep pace with evolving threats and expanding mission demands.
Life-Saving Returns
Ultimately, the Hurricane Hunter mission is about more than the weather. It’s about protecting lives and communities.
“When we reduce uncertainty, we help emergency managers make smarter decisions,” Doremus said. “Every storm we better understand is a storm someone else survives.”
As hurricane season ramps up, the data collected by the 53rd WRS and NOAA will once again become the backbone of forecasts that Americans depend on. Participating in education briefs on Capitol Hill provides lawmakers with a clearer view of this high-stakes mission.