Citizen Airmen Return to Keesler After Gustav

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett
  • 403rd Wing
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Aircraft and people assigned to the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing began returning here today from forward operating locations where aircrews continued their missions of airlift and hurricane reconnaissance.

While deployed, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters, flew missions around the clock into Hurricane Gustav following the storm from its early beginnings up until it made landfall along the northern Gulf Coast. Today the squadron is flying missions into Tropical Storm Hannah even as the unit reconvenes at Keesler.

Citizen Airmen from the 815th Airlift Squadron, known as the Flying Jennies, continued to support airlift missions and stood ready to support hurricane relief efforts if needed.

Most of the 10 WC-130J and eight C-130J-30 aircraft flown by the wing deployed Aug. 22 ahead of Tropical Storm Fay with the last flight out leaving Aug. 30. Airmen providing support and maintenance also deployed with the aircraft. Other personnel assigned to the unit were given an evacuation order Aug. 31 and began returning to work Sept. 2.

Currently, there are several areas in the Atlantic basin, including Tropical Storms Ike and Josephine that forecasters at the NHC are watching. Hurricane Hunters stand ready to support any tasking which could occur in the coming days.