May 23, 2022 Hurricane Hunters brief mission to President at interagency preseason hurricane event It’s not every day that a unit gets invited to participate in an event that informs the President of the United States about interagency efforts to prepare for and respond to hurricanes.That day turned out to be May 18 for one 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron WC-130J Super Hercules aircrew and
May 7, 2022 Hurricane Awareness Tour Returns Air Force Reserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron participated in the first Hurricane Awareness Tour since 2019. The HAT took place during National Hurricane Preparedness Week with the purpose of promoting hurricane preparedness and awareness before the 2022 hurricane season begins.
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.
2022 Airmen of the Year, First Sergeant of the Year, First Sergeant Council of the Year announced Air Force Reserve Command senior leaders and their spouses recognized the command’s 2022 Airmen of the Year during a virtual ceremony Apr. 22, 2022.All winners and nominees competed in their respective Numbered Air Force and Headquarters command before competing at the major command level.
Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 624th RSG CES earn Silver Flag certification and accolades In late August, 17 Citizen Airmen from the 624th Regional Support Group’s Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, along with Reserve Citizen Airmen from around the country, participated in Exercise Patriot Warrior Silver Flag training at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta,
932nd CES Airman awarded the Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award 932nd CES Airman awarded the Lance P. Sijan U.S. Air Force Leadership Award
12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year recognized at AFA The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2021 were recognized over the course of five days during the annual Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber conference held at National Harbor, Sept. 18-22.