Since 2006 members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and crewmembers from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration 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. NOAA flys the WP-3 Orion turboprop "Hurricane Hunter," shown at right, while the 53rd WRS "Hurricane Hunters" fly the WC-130J. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb) Share

The media lines up on the flightline to watch a C-130J take off. The 403rd hosted media day and invited the outlets to come and get familiar with the hurricane mission before the season picks up. They were able to meet some of the aircrew and ride along on a training mission. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Tabitha Dupas) Share

Capt. Christopher Dyke, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron weather officer, exlpains the technology behind the data collection during a storm mission to the WDSU media team, Damon Singleton and Kevin Duckworth, camera. There were 11 outlets who attended media day with the 53rd Hurricane Hunters. They were briefed on the mission and were able to accompany the aircrew on a training mission. Share

Lt. Col. Jeff Ragusa, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot, speaks to throngs of air show attendees as they wait to tour a static display of a WC-130J "Hurricane Hunter" at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Reservists from the 403rd Wing educated the public about the various missions they are responsible for here. More than 160,000 people attended the biannual event here March 19-20. Share

Master Sgt. Joseph Latham, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, demonstrates the use of a dropsonde to Zach Seal, nephew of Barb DeBlasi, 81st Training Wing digital media artist. Ms. Deblasi and her nephew Zach learned about the Air Force Reserve's "Hurricane Hunter" mission while aboard a 403rd Wing static display of a WC-130J "Hurricane Hunter" at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. during an airshow. More than 160,000 people attended the biannual event here March 19-20. The dropsonde is a vital piece of equipment used in the 53rd WRS Hurricane Hunter mission. Share

Citizen Airmen and aircraft from three Air Force Reserve Command special mission units convened for the first-ever AFRC C-130 Special Mission Conference at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Jan. 12-13. Among the participants were Reservists from the 403rd Wing and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters." The Hurricane Hunters provide command and staff supervision in support of weather reconnaissance and are the only Department of Defense unit tasked to organize, equip, train and perform all hurricane weather reconnaissance in support of the Department of Commerce. The 403rd Wing is responsible for coordination, collecting and communicating critical weather data to the National Hurricane Center during flights into hurricanes and tropical storms. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Capt. Heather Garrett) Share

Citizen Airmen and aircraft from three Air Force Reserve Command special mission units convened for the first-ever AFRC C-130 Special Mission Conference at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Jan. 12-13. Among the participants were Reservists from the 403rd Wing and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters." The Hurricane Hunters provide command and staff supervision in support of weather reconnaissance and are the only Department of Defense unit tasked to organize, equip, train and perform all hurricane weather reconnaissance in support of the Department of Commerce. The 403rd Wing is responsible for coordination, collecting and communicating critical weather data to the National Hurricane Center during flights into hurricanes and tropical storms. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Capt. Heather Garrett) Share

Citizen Airmen and aircraft from three Air Force Reserve Command special mission units convened for the first-ever AFRC C-130 Special Mission Conference at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Jan. 12-13. Among the participants were Reservists from the 403rd Wing and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters." The Hurricane Hunters provide command and staff supervision in support of weather reconnaissance and are the only Department of Defense unit tasked to organize, equip, train and perform all hurricane weather reconnaissance in support of the Department of Commerce. The 403rd Wing is responsible for coordination, collecting and communicating critical weather data to the National Hurricane Center during flights into hurricanes and tropical storms. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Capt. Heather Garrett) Share

Citizen Airmen and aircraft from three Air Force Reserve Command special mission units convened for the first-ever AFRC C-130 Special Mission Conference at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Jan. 12-13. Among the participants were Reservists from the 403rd Wing and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters." The Hurricane Hunters provide command and staff supervision in support of weather reconnaissance and are the only Department of Defense unit tasked to organize, equip, train and perform all hurricane weather reconnaissance in support of the Department of Commerce. The 403rd Wing is responsible for coordination, collecting and communicating critical weather data to the National Hurricane Center during flights into hurricanes and tropical storms. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Capt. Heather Garrett) Share

Citizen Airmen and aircraft from three Air Force Reserve Command special mission units convened for the first-ever AFRC C-130 Special Mission Conference at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Jan. 12-13. Among the participants were Reservists from the 403rd Wing and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters." The Hurricane Hunters provide command and staff supervision in support of weather reconnaissance and are the only Department of Defense unit tasked to organize, equip, train and perform all hurricane weather reconnaissance in support of the Department of Commerce. The 403rd Wing is responsible for coordination, collecting and communicating critical weather data to the National Hurricane Center during flights into hurricanes and tropical storms. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Capt. Heather Garrett) Share

A team from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, "Hurricane Hunters," deploy to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, each January to fly winter storm missions. The data they collect on these missions enables weather forecasters to more accurately predict winter storm forecasts by 10-15 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Randy Bynon) Share

A team from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, "Hurricane Hunters," deploy to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, each January to fly winter storm missions. The data they collect on these missions enables weather forecasters to more accurately predict winter storm forecasts by 10-15 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Randy Bynon) Share