ABOUT THE 403RD WING


The 403rd Wing, which falls under 22nd Air Force, is the largest flying organization at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, and the only Air Force Reserve Command wing in Mississippi. With a military manning authorization of 1,600 reservists, including 295 full-time Air Reserve Technicians, 66 Active Guard and Reserve members, and 73 civilian employees, the wing is tasked to organize, equip, train and employ airlift forces in support of the nation's interests. This includes the only weather reconnaissance mission in the Department of Defense as well as tactical airlift and airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and agile combat support.

Vision: Wing of Choice -- Agile, Innovative, Disciplined

Mission: Provide Mission-Ready Airmen to execute diverse C-130J and Combat Support Operations

 

Priorities: Airmen Readiness, Airmen Development, Transformative and Effective Wing

 

Wing Leadership

Group Leadership

Fact Sheets

Shield of the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force illustration) 403rd Wing
403rd Wing
See More
Official shield of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
See More
Shield of the 815th Airlift Squadron "The Flying Jennies" 815th Airlift Squadron
815th Airlift Squadron
See More
U.S. Army troops from the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division trained with 815th Airlift Squadron Reserve Citizen Airmen during a training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska July 13-16, 2021. The 815th AS provided airlift for more than 1300 paratroopers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) C-130J Hercules
C-130J Hercules
See More
A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., takes off for a flight into Tropical Storm Elsa July 6, 2021. The 53rd WRS “Hurricane Hunters” are an Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 403rd Wing and are the only unit in the Department of Defense that flies weather reconnaissance missions .(U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) WC-130J Hercules
WC-130J Hercules
See More
The Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer is a state-of-the-art instrument designed to continuously and accurately measure the winds at the ocean's surface directly below the aircraft. As the plane flies through a storm, the SFMR senses microwave radiation naturally emitted from foam created on the sea by winds at the surface. Computers then determine wind speeds based on the levels of microwave radiation detected. The SFMR can also determine rainfall rates within a storm system. This, in addition to wind speeds at flight level, provide structural detail of the storm. (Photo Courtesy of Lockheed Martin) Hurricane Hunter Weather Equipment
Hurricane Hunter Weather Equipment
See More