Seeing double

Since 2006 members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and crewmembers from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. NOAA flys the WP-3 Orion turboprop "Hurricane Hunter," shown at right, while the 53rd WRS "Hurricane Hunters" fly the WC-130J. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Data collection

Senior Airman Jenna Tucker, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, explains the use of a dropsonde to Joseph McCormick, 336th Training Squadron, during a static display of the WC-130J and WP-3 Orion aircraft. Since 2006 members of the 53rd WRS and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration crewmembers have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration flys the WP-3 Orion turboprop "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft. NOAA overlaps 10 percent of the weather reconnaissance mission flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron; 90 percent of their mission is scientific research. With permission from Jim Henson Productions NOAA names their aircraft after various Muppet characters; pictured here is Kermit the Frog. Since 2006 members of the 53rd WRS and NOAA crewmembers have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Loadmaster vs electronic engineer

One of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's electronics technicians, Todd Richards, explains to Capt. Kyle Larson, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron weather officer, the similarities and differences between his position and that of a 53rd WRS loadmaster. Since 2006 members of the 53rd WRS and NOAA crewmembers have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Same mission, different aircraft

Two National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration electronics technicians, Mike Mascaro and Bobby Peek, discuss with Capt. Kyle Larson, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron weather officer, and Joseph McCormick, 336th Training Squadron, the similaries and differences of the WC-130J and WP-3 Orion. Since 2006 members of the 53rd WRS and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration crewmembers have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Hunting hurricanes takes coordination

Published June 6, 2011

Seeing double

Data collection

Loadmaster vs electronic engineer

Same mission, different aircraft