KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, aka Hurricane Hunters, taxis to the runway July 29, 2019 at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The Hurricane Hunters took off today in support of Tropical Storms Erick and Flossie located in the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Master Sgt. Chris Becvar, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, demonstrates the dropsonde tube operations inside of a WC-103J Super Hercules at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 23, 2019. The loadmaster, who doubles as a dropsonde operator launches the parachute-rigged device from the aircraft using the tube. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Maj. Tobi Baker, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial weather reconnaissance officer, poses for a photo at the ARWO station inside of a WC-130J Super Hercules at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 23, 2019. The ARWO acts like a flight director in a storm. He continuously monitors atmospheric data collected from the aircraft’s sensors throughout the mission. The gathered data is checked for accuracy and the information is used to guide the aircraft into the center of the storm. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Maj. Kendall Dunn, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot, poses for a photo in front of a WC-130J Super Hercules at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 30, 2019. The 53rd WRS aka Air Force Reserve ‘Hurricane Hunters,’ is the only Air Force unit tasked with mission of flying into the eye of hurricanes to collect data from the inside of a storm. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Capt. Julie Fantaske, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron navigator, checks her inflight publications on her tablet on a flight from Brunswick, Georgia to Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 10, 2019. Navigators are responsible for preparing flight plans, which include routes, headings, checkpoints, and times. During flight, they operate from their station using equipment such as GPS, radio, and radar systems that assists in guiding the aircraft through weather. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

BRUNSWICK, Ga.

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron’s WC-130J Super Hercules also known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” sits ready for the Hurricane Awareness Tour to kick off at Brunswick, Georgia, May 10, 2019. The purpose of the HAT is to help create a weather-ready nation by raising awareness for the upcoming hurricane season occurring June 1-Nov. 30, with emphasis this year on raising awareness about inland flooding. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

All of the traveling members of the Hurricane Awareness Tour pose for a photo before departing Brunswick, Georgia, May 10, 2019. The purpose of the HAT is to help create a weather-ready nation by raising awareness for the upcoming hurricane season occurring June 1-Nov. 30, with emphasis this year on raising awareness about inland flooding. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Diana Cossaboom) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Maj. Tobi Baker, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, talks about his duties and responsibilities as an ARWO during an interview May 10, 2019, in Brunswick, Georgia. Media interviews were conducted during the Hurricane Awareness Tour to help create a weather-ready nation by raising awareness for the upcoming hurricane season occurring June 1-Nov. 30, with emphasis this year on raising awareness about inland flooding. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Ken Graham, National Hurricane Center director, talks with local media during the Hurricane Awareness Tour May 10, 2019, in Brunswick, Georgia. The purpose of the HAT is to help create a weather-ready nation by raising awareness for the upcoming hurricane season occurring June 1-Nov. 30, with emphasis this year on raising awareness about inland flooding. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

An Air Force Reserve Command WC-130J Hercules sits on the flight line at the Curacao International Airport, Curacao, April 12, 2019. National Hurricane Center director Ken Graham, federal hurricane specialists, and Reserve Citizen Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, discussed hurricane preparedness, resilience and how community members can become “weather-ready” as part of the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour April 8-13, 2019. Tours of the WC-130J “Hurricane Hunter” offered dignataries, students and members of the public an opportunity to learn how scientists collect hurricane information. The NOAA WP-3D aircraft, used for both hurricane forecasting and research, was on display as well. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada met with NOAA hurricane specialists and the U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters during the 2019 Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour April 10, 2019 at the Juan Santamaria International Airport, San Jose, Costa Rica. As part of the event, dignitaries, students and the public toured the Air Force Reserve Command’s WC-130J “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft to learn how scientists collect hurricane information. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Lt. Col. Kait Woods, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, explains the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter mission to dignitaries at the Queen Beatrice International Airport, Aruba, during the 2019 Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour. During the event, the NOAA federal hurricane specialists and Reserve Citizen Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron discussed hurricane preparedness, resilience and how they can become “weather-ready." As part of the event, dignitaries, students and the public toured the Air Force Reserve Command’s WC-130J “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft to learn how scientists collect hurricane information. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share