KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Chief Master Sgt. Mark S. Kettner, 403rd Maintenance Group, was recognized for 30-years of civil service. Senior Master Sgt. Eric Johnson, 403rd Maintenance Squadron, was also presented with a certificate and pin to commemorate his 30 years of service to the U.S. Air Force. More than 30 wing members were recognized for their accomplishments during the 403rd Wing civilian commander’s call Aug. 18, 2016. Col. Frank L. Amodeo, 403rd Wing commander, briefed unit members on changes in leadership, the future of the wing, and resources available to Airmen impacted by the devastating flooding in Louisiana. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Heather Heiney) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron will participate in NOAA's Gulf Coast Awareness Tour May 16-20, touring five U.S. coastal cities to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for the upcoming huricane season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech.Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Lt. Col. Jon Talbot (right), 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunter” chief aerial reconnaissance weather officer, presents a Hurricane Hunter poster to Dr. D. Orlando Smith, Premier and Minister of Tourism, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, at an afterhours dinner event during the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour April 14, 2016. The purpose of the CHAT is to raise hurricane awareness across Latin America and the Caribbean, and to maintain and expand partnerships among the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Air Force and neighbors in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Capt. Jordan Mentzer, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunter” pilot, speaks with local media in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, about the mission of the Hurricane Hunters during the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour April 11, 2016. The purpose of the CHAT is to raise hurricane awareness across Latin America and the Caribbean, and to maintain and expand partnerships among the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Northern Command, the U.S. Air Force and our neighbors in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunter” aircrew members answer questions from local media in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, about the mission of the Hurricane Hunters during the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour April 12, 2016. The purpose of the CHAT is to raise hurricane awareness across Latin America and the Caribbean, and to maintain and expand partnerships among the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Northern Command, the U.S. Air Force and our neighbors in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Tech. Sgt. Karen Moore, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunter” weather reconnaissance loadmaster, addresses questions from local media in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, about the mission of the Hurricane Hunters during the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour April 12, 2016. The purpose of the CHAT is to raise hurricane awareness across Latin America and the Caribbean, and to maintain and expand partnerships among the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Air Force and neighbors in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

1st Lt. Leesa Froelich, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunter” aerial reconnaissance weather officer, takes questions from local media in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, about the mission of the Hurricane Hunters during the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour April 12, 2016. The purpose of the CHAT is to raise hurricane awareness across Latin America and the Caribbean, and to maintain and expand partnerships among the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Air Force and neighbors in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer is a state-of-the-art instrument designed to continuously and accurately measure the winds at the ocean's surface directly below the aircraft. As the plane flies through a storm, the SFMR senses microwave radiation naturally emitted from foam created on the sea by winds at the surface. Computers then determine wind speeds based on the levels of microwave radiation detected. The SFMR can also determine rainfall rates within a storm system. This, in addition to wind speeds at flight level, provide structural detail of the storm. (Photo Courtesy of Lockheed Martin) Share

Tech. Sgt. Jenna Daniel, a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, logs information on a dropsonde to be dropped in the eye wall of Hurricane Joaquin during a mission into the storm Oct. 2, 2015. Hurricane Joaquin was downgraded to a Catergory 3 storm. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Staff Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone) Share

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, or "Hurricane Hunters," is an Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The unit provides meteorological data to the National Hurricane Center in Miami to improve their forecasts. While the squadron is aligned under AFRC, weather reconnaissance taskings originate at the NHC, which falls, not under the Department of Defense, but the Department of Commerce. (U.S. Air Force graphic) Share

Lt. Col. Matthew Muha, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron commander, presents a Swan 38 Memorial Scholarship check to Senior Master Sgt. Joey York, 41st Aerial Port Squadron first sergeant, whose son, Michael, was selected for the $1,000 award. The annual award is designed to acknowledge outstanding students in the 403rd Wing, or dependents of 403rd Wing members, by providing them financial assistance for higher education. The memorial scholarship is named after the 54th WRS crew with the call sign “Swan 38,” which disappeared without a trace over the Pacific Ocean October 12, 1974. Michael is currently a sophomore at the University of Arkansas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

Lt. Col. Brian Schroeder, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, collects data on Hurricane Odile Sept. 14, 2014. The Hurricane Hunters collect weather data for the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, which assists them with their forecasts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nick Monteleone) Share