Hurricane Hunters Deploy to U.S. Virgin Islands Published July 16, 2008 By Staff Reports 403rd Wing KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Hurricane Hunters deployed to a forward operating location in St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands over the past two days to be in position for storm flights beginning today. After flying missions into Hurricane Bertha last week, the National Hurricane Center has again called on Citizen Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron to provide critical data on a new system brewing just east of the windward islands. The Hurricane Hunters, of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing, are investigating the strong tropical wave which is a westward-moving disturbance gaining a significant amount of convection in the past 24 hours. Heavy showers and gusty winds are sweeping over Barbados as the system approaches. Other Windward Island locations can expect similar conditions this afternoon and evening. Satellite images and surface data indicated that the area of low pressure located 225 miles east of the islands had become better organized and that it could become a tropical depression later today. This afternoon, the Hurricane Hunters are flying a mission into the disturbance to provide information to NHC forecasters. Data gathered through aerial reconnaissance is more accurate and gives forecasters a better picture of what is going in inside the disturbance. Another flight is scheduled for tomorrow morning and follow on flights may be scheduled depending on the needs of the NHC.