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  • Hurricane Hunter sets unit record for eyewall penetrations

    In the Air Force, the number 341 typically elicits an unpleasant memory. Like that time someone in your group of three marching at basic military training forgot to put their cover on, so you all were vehemently reprimanded by a military training instructor and had your 341 pulled.Or that time you

  • Hurricane Hunters fly first Pacific hurricane of the year

    The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircrews flew five weather reconnaissance missions into Hurricane Douglas, the first hurricane in the Pacific, July 24-27, 2020, collecting data to assist Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecasters.The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, assigned to the

  • Hurricane Hunters: Reserve Citizen Airmen team flies storm missions

    The 403rd Wing’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron based out of Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, is the only Department of Defense organization that flies weather reconnaissance.This specialized unit of Reserve Citizen Airmen is at a minimum made up of a five-person crew consisting of a

  • Hurricane Hunters conduct deployment for training

    The Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron deployed to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, June 15 to 19 to fly training missions over the Caribbean in preparation for the 2020 hurricane season. The Hurricane Hunters are Reserve Citizen Airmen of the 403rd Wing based at Keesler Air

  • Hurricane Hunters take part in online National Tropical Weather Conference

    The 2020 National Tropical Weather Conference, originally scheduled for April, was postponed due to COVID-19, however, the pandemic didn’t stop emergency managers, meteorologist, and the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters from going live online this week to talk about their mission and educate the

  • Hurricane Hunters fly Winter Storm

    The United States Air Force Reserve 403rd Wing’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also known as the Hurricane Hunters, flew their first Winter Storm of the season Feb. 26. A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft departed Keesler Air Force Base, Mississipi. midday to fly the Western Atlantic Flight

  • Mississippi resident 403rd Wing Pilot for a Day

    One local Mississippi resident received a holiday treat a little early this year. The 403rd Wing commissioned 14-year-old Charles “Payton” Burge, of Carriere, Mississippi, as an honorary Air Force Reserve second lieutenant today as part of their Pilot for a Day program. “The Gulf Coast is very

  • Hurricane Hunters reflect on 2019 Hurricane season

    Andrea, Barry, Dorian, Fernand, Humberto, Jerry, Karen, Lorena, Nestor and Olga. At first glance one may think this is a list popular baby names for the year, but they’re the names of nine storms the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew into during this year’s hurricane season. The 2019

  • NOAA, NHC visit 53rd WRS Hurricane Hunters

    From the outside looking in, hurricane forecasts seem fairly simplistic. On any given local weather station, they show either a spaghetti model or a more conical shaped model predicting a storm’s path and intensity. There might be a high or low pressure system animated into the graphic as well

  • Flying Tropical Storm Dorian

    Three WC-103J’s and one C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 403rd Wing departed Keesler Air Force Base Monday for Curaçao to provide weather reconnaissance support for Tropical Storm Dorian.