Hurricane Hunter lecture series kicks off June 6

  • Published
  • By Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The Hurricane Hunters, based at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi., are hosting a lecture series this storm season highlighting their experiences with tracking hurricanes.

The series, which lasts through November, kicks off June 6 at the Biloxi Visitor's Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The lecture series began during the 2013 tropical storm season when, due to sequestration, the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour was cancelled. The CHAT, a joint effort between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center and the 403rd Wing's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, began in the 1970s. It's an annual event designed to promote hurricane awareness and preparedness throughout the Caribbean region.

"Every Hurricane Hunter I have met loved educating the public about the importance of the squadron's mission. I saw a need here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for this type of venue and organized the lecture series with the help of the Biloxi Visitor Center and City of Biloxi who donate the space needed for the series," said Master Sgt. Brian Lamar, 403rd Wing Public Affairs noncommissioned officer in charge and the organizer of the event.

The 53rd WRS, a component of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing, is a one-of-a-kind organization. It is the only operational unit in the world flying weather reconnaissance on a routine basis. The squadron provides surveillance of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the central Pacific Ocean for the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The unit also flies winter storm missions off both coasts of the United States.

The lectures will feature various Hurricane Hunters who have all tracked storms such as Sandy, Wilma, Rita, and Katrina. Lt. Col. Jon Talbot, a seasoned aerial weather reconnaissance officer, will kick off the lecture series June 6 speaking about his experiences as a meteorologist tracking hurricanes.

Talbot said the lecture series is a great opportunity for community members who were unable to attend last year to learn about their mission. More than 500 people attended the event during the 2013 storm season.

"The lecture series provides the public the opportunity to ask us questions about what we do and how we do it," he said. "Nobody in this area can afford to let their guard down during hurricane season, and this event provides important hurricane preparedness information."

The event is free for all ages, and future lectures are scheduled for July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.

For more information, call the 403rd Wing Public Affairs Office at 228-377-2056.