March 29, 2022 Reservist part-time Hurricane Hunter, full-time mission planner for International Space Station Since she was a child, one 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Reserve Citizen Airman was always fascinated by the skies and the stars.Maj. Joyce K. Hirai turned her passion into atypical careers as she now flies through hurricanes as an aerial reconnaissance weather officer in the Air Force Reserve while
March 23, 2022 Reservist chased a dream; now chases hurricanes Nearly three decades after the fact, U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Amaryllis Cotto can still vividly remember Hurricane Andrew. The shrill screech of a woman screaming for her life outside.Windows breaking.Walls vibrating.Running across the street to seek shelter with neighbors as her own family’s house
Jan. 21, 2022 Hurricane Hunters fly first missions of winter season The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters” at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., flew a system from its time as a swath of water vapor moving over the Pacific Ocean to the wintry conditions it delivered across the United States, marking the unit’s first atmospheric
Nov. 30, 2021 Hurricane Hunters wrap up 2021 season; brace for winter ops After a historically busy Atlantic hurricane season in 2020, the Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., were gifted a relative reprieve, though still an above average hurricane season this year.Today marked the end of the Atlantic
Oct. 29, 2021 Hurricane Hunters testing new SATCOM capabilities For the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters, the ability to transmit data in flight is tantamount to mission success.As one of their WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft powers through a hurricane, a loadmaster is in the back, preparing and launching dropsondes that
Oct. 3, 2021 Hurricane Hunters wrap up Hurricane Sam missions Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters completed their final flight into the then category 4 storm, Oct. 2.
Sept. 28, 2021 Hurricane Hunters fly Hurricane Sam The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, better known as the Hurricane Hunters, flew their first mission into Hurricane Sam out of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Sept. 27.First recognized as Tropical Depression 18 Sept. 22, the National Hurricane Center began monitoring the
Aug. 30, 2021 Reservists wrap up Hurricane Ida reconnaissance The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters assigned to the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., finished flying Hurricane Ida as the category 4 storm made landfall in Louisiana, Aug. 29.
July 14, 2021 Little Rock Reserve maintainers assist Keesler with WC-130J repair Maintaining aircraft for 10 WC-130J Super Hercules is no easy task, especially when that job is to repair an aircraft after a destructive fire.On Nov. 1, 2020, a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron crew was preparing to take off to fly Hurricane Eta when the aircraft’s left wing caught fire. None
July 7, 2021 Hurricane Hunters wrap up Elsa recon ahead of landfall The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters wrapped up their aerial reconnaissance efforts for Tropical Storm Elsa Wednesday morning, July 7, after the storm made landfall on the northwest coast of Florida.The 53rd WRS is assigned to the 403rd Wing and is the only