A WC-130J aircraft powers down after returning from the final flight into Hurricane Irene August 28. This particular mission took the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters” as far north as New York. To get their final fix on the storm, the crew released a dropsonde into the Hudson Bay – a first for the Hurricane Hunters. The squadron flew out of Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., for the last days of their storm mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

NBC news correspondent Peter Alexander prepares for his live feed to the Today Show on the morning of Aug. 25 while his cameraman and producer provide feedback. Alexander and his film crew were given the opportunity to fly with the Hurricane Hunters on a mission into the eye of Hurricane Irene Aug. 25. Share

Maj. Shane Devlin enjoys the sunset as he returns home from a reconnaissance mission into the eye of Hurricane Irene Aug. 25. Devlin is a pilot with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and served as mission commander for the flight. Share

Lt. Col. Sean Pierce, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations, takes a moment to speak with Andy McDonald while on a mission into the eye of Hurricane Irene Aug. McDonald and other members of the media were afforded the opportunity to fly with the Hurricane Hunters during the Aug. 25 reconnaissance mission. Share

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron's chief Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer, Lt. Col. Jon Talbot, provides information about Hurricane Irene to Dave Dildine. Dildine is a reporter with WTOP News in Washington, D.C. and was given the opportunity to fly with the Hurricane Hunters on a mission into the eye of Hurricane Irene Aug. 25. Share

Master Sgt. Scott Blair, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron dropsonde operator, awaits the signal to deploy a weather bouy during the reconnaissance flight into Tropical Storm Don July 29. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Justin Pearce) Share

Capt. Kyle Larson, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer, is "interviewed" about the training he received while flying a mission into Tropical Storm Don July 29. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Justin Pearce) Share

Lt. Col. Jon Talbot, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer, explains the job of an ARWO to Christian D'Andrea, High Noon Productions, during a flight into Tropical Storm Don June 29. Talbot also explained how the Hurricane Hunters collect weather data from storms in order to provide the National Hurricane Center with information that will help improve forecasts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Justin Pearce) Share

Two National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration electronics technicians, Mike Mascaro and Bobby Peek, discuss with Capt. Kyle Larson, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron weather officer, and Joseph McCormick, 336th Training Squadron, the similaries and differences of the WC-130J and WP-3 Orion. Since 2006 members of the 53rd WRS and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration crewmembers have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb) Share

One of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's electronics technicians, Todd Richards, explains to Capt. Kyle Larson, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron weather officer, the similarities and differences between his position and that of a 53rd WRS loadmaster. Since 2006 members of the 53rd WRS and NOAA crewmembers have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb) Share

Senior Airman Jenna Tucker, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, explains the use of a dropsonde to Joseph McCormick, 336th Training Squadron, during a static display of the WC-130J and WP-3 Orion aircraft. Since 2006 members of the 53rd WRS and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration crewmembers have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb) Share

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration flys the WP-3 Orion turboprop "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft. NOAA has a 10 percent overlap of the weather reconnaissance mission flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron; 90 percent of their mission is scientific research. With permission from Jim Henson Productions, NOAA names their aircraft after various Muppet characters; pictured here is Kermit the Frog. Since 2006 members of the 53rd WRS and NOAA crewmembers have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb) Share