Hurricane Hunters Fly Landfalling Gustav Mission Published Sept. 1, 2008 By Public Affairs staff 403rd Wing NEAR MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- While Hurricane Gustav buffets their home, the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing continue to fly missions from their forward operating location at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. As Gustav moves on shore, Citizen Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are flying a WC-130J aircraft into the eye to provide the National Hurricane Center with data used to mark the intensity of the storm. The 403rd Wing Hurricane Hunters have been flying Gustav non-stop, 24 hours a day for the last week. Other reservist crews are also monitoring Tropical Storm Hannah which could strengthen and potentially threaten the U.S. later in the week. There are also several suspect areas in the Atlantic basin, including Tropical Depression 9, forecasters at the NHC are watching.