While flying into Hurricane Ike, Maj. Jeff Ragusa, pilot, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron,... Share

Inside the eye of Hurricane Ike, a WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft provides data from several... Share

Inside the eye of Hurricane Ike, a WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft provides data from several... Share

Staff Sgt. Shannon Smith prepares to launch a dropsonde from a WC-130J aircraft. Flown by the 53rd... Share

One of the tools in the Hurricane Hunter's arsenal is the dropsonde. This cylindrical package is... Share

Skies along the Mississippi Gulf Coast were already becoming overcast yesterday as Staff Sgt.... Share

As the first engine on a WC-130J spins up, Staff Sgt. Shannon Smith, weather reconnaissance... Share

Lt. Col. Mark Carter, pilot views thunderstorms and sunset through the Heads-Up Display of the... Share

Pilot, Lt. Col. Mark Carter admires the sunset after 9 hours of flying Hurricane Ike. The Air Force... Share

The pilot's view of sunset through the Heads-up Display after flying into Hurricane Ike. The Air... Share

The eyewall of Hurricane Ike looms ominous as the WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft heads toward the... Share

A WC-130J Hurricane Hunter takes off for a mission into the eye of Hurricane Ike. With the exception... Share