In june of 1991, the 53rd wrs was deactivated, and all weather reconnaissance responsibility fell to the air force reserves 815th weather squadron, which had existed concurrently with the 53rd since 1976. The squadron, also known as the hurricane hunters, conducted their first atmospheric river mission this year feb. Air force reserve s 403rd wing at keesler air force, mississippi, is the 15 sep 2018 u. Aligned under the 403rd wing of the air force reserve command afrc and based at keesler air force base, mississippi, with ten aircraft, it flies into. Air force reserves 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron flew a fix mission out of keesler air force base in biloxi, mississippi into tropical storm hermine which was named a hurricane midflight. Threatening weather does not stop once hurricane season ends, and it becomes the mission of the 403rd wings 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron to remain prepared to fly in order to collect data from winter storms to improve forecasts. The 53rd wrs provides data vital to the national hurricane center to assist the forecasters in providing an updated model of the projected path of the storm.
The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron on an wcj super hercules aircraft descend as they make their way back to the travis air force base on. Christopher dyke has a lifelong love of weather, especially hurricanes. Airmen monitor florence, provide data to national hurricane center. Air force reserves 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron. In the afternoon, hermine had max wind speeds of 70 mph at the surface, with a center about 110 miles due south of panama city beach, florida, and was heading. A wcj super hercules aircraft departed keesler air force base, miss. The united states air force reserve 403rd wings 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, also known as the hurricane hunters, flew their first winter storm of the season feb.
Air force weather reconnaissance squadron patches flying. On june 30, 1991 the air forces 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron the hurricane hunters was disbanded. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, known as the hurricane hunters of the air force reserve, is oneofakind. To study atmospheric rivers, scientists need to get close. The 53rd wrs weather reconnaissance squadron, better known as the hurricane hunters, is a united states air force squadron of aircraft based in biloxi, ms, that flies missions into hurricanes and weather systems for research purposes and observation. Over the years, the number of of weather squadrons was pared back, especially with. The term hurricane hunters was first applied to its missions in 1946. This is the official page of the air force reserve hurricane hunters. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, a component of the 403rd wing located at keesler air force base in biloxi, miss. Hurricane hunters flew into dorian, and the photos are. Air force 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron hurricane hunters patch. Hurricane hunters fly into hurricane hermine keesler air.
The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, also known by its nickname, hurricane hunters, is a flying unit of the united states air force, and the only department of defense organization still flying into tropical storms and hurricanes. This rainfall season put the air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron in an oncall status to fly atmospheric rivers beginning february through the middle of march. The united states air force reserve 403rd wings 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, more affectionately known as the hurricane hunters, is most wellknown for doing the unfathomableflying at 10,000 feet, sometimes less, through major tropical systems, storms and hurricanes to collect useful data. Afns the air force reserves 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron flew a fix mission sept. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squdron, based out of keesler air force base, mississippi, began flying into hurricane lane out of the. The general also toured the 403rd maintenance group and met with reserve citizen airmen throughout the day to learn more about the mission and their concerns. The air force reserve hurricane hunters fly nonstop, 24 hours a day collecting data in the storm that threatened the coastline of texas in 2008. The air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron is flying missions into hurricane florence over the atlantic ocean and hurricane olivia over the pacific ocean this week. Air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron assisted the u.
Air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron spent part of june in sri lanka flying missions over the indian ocean as part of a research project to study. The weather squadron resurrected the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, and now proudly carries on the tradition as the hurricane hunters. It is the only department of defense unit that conducts aircraft reconnaissance missions into severe tropical weather during the hurricane season, which is june 1 through nov. The hurricane hunter crew arrived june 15 to assist with research in the bay of bengal on monsoon intraseasonal.
Hurricane hunters fly into, collect data on hurricane. The vessel was making a transatlantic voyage from portugal to the bahamas, and was not. The air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron flew a recent fix mission out of keesler air force base into tropical storm. Af reserve hurricane hunters, keesler air force base, ms. Twenty aircrews belong to the squadron stationed at keesler air force base, mississippi the defense departments only manned weather reconnaissance unit. Jenna daniel both loadmaster with the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, keesler air force base, mississippi, look at meteorological data at their workstation on a wcj super hercules during a mission to fly through the eye of hurricane irma sep. Air force reserve hurricane hunters assist with monsoon research the u. The reserve citizen airmen will start flying reconnaissance missions. Air force reserve hurricane hunters assist with monsoon. A wcj super hercules aircraft departed keesler air force base, mississipi. Ashley lundry, aerial reconnaissance weather officer, are members of the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, referred to as the hurricane hunters, which is a unit in the air force reserve s 403rd wing at keesler air force base, mississippi. The 53rd wrs is the only defense department unit that flies.
The air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron spent part of june in sri lanka flying missions over the indian ocean as part of a research project to study the islands atmosphere and predict monsoon patterns. Hurricane hunters fly winter storm air force reserve. Air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron spent part of june in sri lanka flying missions over the indian ocean as part of a research project to study the islands atmosphere and predict monsoon patterns. The air force reserve 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, the worlds only operational military weather reconnaissance unit, is based at keesler air force base in biloxi, mississippi. Air force reserve s 403rd wing at keesler air force base. Us air force 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron military patch hurricane hunters. It is the only operational unit in the world flying weather reconnaissance on a routine basis.
The air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron departed keesler air force base, mississippi, sept. The air force reserve hurricane hunters are continuing to monitor hurricne lane which is projected to hit the main hawaiian islands the afternoon of aug. Original wwii aaf 53rd reconnaissance squadron jacket patch felt. Hurricane hunters of the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron. List of united states air force weather reconnaissance. In 1991, the duties for the 53rd were shifted to an air force reserves airlift. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals. The general was briefed on the different missions of the 403rd wing, to include a flight on a wcj super hercules training mission with the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron. Afns the air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron flew a fix mission sept. Hurricane hunters fly winter storm march air reserve. By 1993, however, the unit split into two squadrons, at which time the tactical airlift squadron reverted to the 815th tas flying jennies. Air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron spent part of june in sri lanka air force reserve hurricane hunters assist with monsoon research maj. Details about original wwii aaf 53rd reconnaissance squadron jacket patch felt.
Original wwii aaf 53rd reconnaissance squadron jacket. Zachary ziemann, 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron loadmaster, checks the data from a dropsonde after it was released near the eye wall of hurricane lane aug. We ask the public to plan ahead, listen and watch for weather advisories, as well as heed the advice of local. An air force reserve 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron wcj super hercules aircraft departs keesler air force base, miss. Kait woods, 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, explains the air force reserve hurricane hunter mission to dignitaries at the queen beatrice international airport, aruba, during the 2019 caribbean hurricane awareness tour. Aligned under the 403rd wing of the air force reserve command afrc. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, an air force reserve unit located at keesler air force base, mississippi.
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