TS Arthur
Chief Master Sgt. Troy Peltier, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron dropsonde operator, ensures his dropsonde weather instrument is functioning correctly before launching it from the bottom of a WC-130J aircraft into the storm, which became known as Hurricane Arthur July 1, 2014. The dropsonde automatically sends weather data, which is critical to the forecasters at the National Hurricane Center, while falling to the water. Once the data is uploaded into the Hurricane Hunter's on-board computers, the data is sent via satellite to NHC personnel, who are then able to update forecast models immediately. These forecast models assist emergency managers and civic leaders in determining the threat level of the storm. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brian Lamar)