June 22, 2020 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
May 13, 2020 Making history, reserve pilot flies the U-2 for the first time For the first time in Air Force history and the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, reservist Maj. Jeffrey Anderson, 99th Reconnaissance Squadron pilot, qualified to fly the U-2 Dragon Lady.
Feb. 28, 2020 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
Feb. 6, 2020 Hurricane Hunters fly Atmospheric Rivers The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, commonly known as the Hurricane Hunters, are the cornerstone for data gathering efforts within storm environments. When they’re not flying into hurricanes they are providing aerial weather reconnaissance for atmospheric rivers over the Pacific Ocean.
June 1, 2019 Reserve Citizen Airmen hunt This specialized unit of Reserve Citizen Airmen is made up of a five-person crew consisting of a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, aerial reconnaissance weather officer, and loadmaster who is also the dropsonde operator.
May 6, 2019 Single-Parent Reservist Rises Above Challenges to Earn Wings Imagine being a single-parent of two, completing a bachelor's degree and independently financing pilot training in order to accomplish the dream of becoming a reserve pilot with the 315th Airlift Wing, all within 5 short years.Being a single parent is no easy feat, but Staff Sgt. Shakeyna Smith,
Oct. 13, 2018 Travis AFB poised to deliver after Hurricane Michael Within hours of Hurricane Michael’s landfall on the Florida Panhandle, a Travis Air Force Base, California, C-17 Globemaster III, with a crew from the 21st Airlift Squadron and the 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, took off to support civil authorities in humanitarian relief operations.
Jan. 10, 2018 AFJROTC launches Flight Academy program to address aircrew shortage Headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC has launched a program aimed at potentially putting more pilots in the cockpits of military aircraft to help address the Air Force’s ongoing aircrew shortage.Beginning in the summer of 2018, select AFJROTC cadets who applied for a new Fight Academy scholarship will
Nov. 22, 2017 Pilot exemplifies Total Force Integration As part of a Total Force Integration initiative, an Air Force Reserve Citizen Airman attended attended the Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) to deploy with his former active-duty squadron.Captivated by the close-air support and combat-search and rescue missions of the A-10C Thunderbolt II, U.S. Air
Oct. 25, 2017 Active-duty positions added for Guard, Reserve pilots Air National Guard and Reserve pilots now have 20 more opportunities to fly in order to augment active duty chronic vacancies across the force.