ST. CROIX, US. VI

Members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron takeoff for Hurricane Sam to gather weather data for the National Hurricane Center, Sept. 28, 2021. The weather data is collected and sent to the NHC in order to ensure more accurate and up-to-date forecasts and models of the storms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I.

Maj. Joyce Hirai, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, checks the data from the dropsonde prior to sending it to the National Hurricane Center as the Hurricane Hunters, fly into Hurricane Sam, Sept. 27, 2021. Hurricane Sam had downgraded to a category 3 hurricane when the AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters entered, but was intensifying before they headed back. The Hurricane Hunters gather data weather data from dropsondes and aircraft sensors, which is given to the NHC to assist them with their forecasts and storm warnings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I.

Lt. Col. Ryan Rickert and Maj. Joyce Hirai, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officers, discuss the weather data as the Hurricane Hunters fly into Hurricane Sam, Sept. 27, 2021. Hurricane Sam had downgraded to a category 3 hurricane when the AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters entered, but was intensifying before they headed back. The Hurricane Hunters gather data weather data from dropsondes and aircraft sensors, which is given to the National Hurricane Center to assist them with their forecasts and storm warnings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I.

Staff Sgt. Keith Taylor, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, prepares dropsondes for the storm as the Hurricane Hunters fly into Hurricane Sam, Sept. 27, 2021. Hurricane Sam had downgraded to a category 3 hurricane when the AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters entered, but was intensifying before they headed back. The Hurricane Hunters gather data weather data from dropsondes and aircraft sensors, which is given to the National Hurricane Center to assist them with their forecasts and storm warnings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I.

Staff Sgt. Keith Taylor, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, prepares dropsondes for the storm as the Hurricane Hunters fly into Hurricane Sam, Sept. 27, 2021. Hurricane Sam had downgraded to a category 3 hurricane when the AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters entered, but was intensifying before they headed back. The Hurricane Hunters gather data weather data from dropsondes and aircraft sensors, which is given to the National Hurricane Center to assist them with their forecasts and storm warnings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The 403rd Wing hosted a 20th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ruck March in rembrance of those who lost their lives during the events of 9/11. The march was led by the 403rd Security Forces Squadron and was open to all members of Keesler Air Force Base, both military and civilian. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The 403rd Wing hosted a 20th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ruck March in rembrance of those who lost their lives during the events of 9/11. The march was led by the 403rd Security Forces Squadron and was open to all members of Keesler Air Force Base, both military and civilian. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. Reginald Trujillo, 403rd Mission Support Group commander, tells his 9/11 story before the 403rd Wing 20th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ruck March, which was hosted in rembrance of those who lost their lives during the events of 9/11. The march was led by the 403rd Security Forces Squadron and was open to all members of Keesler Air Force Base, both military and civilian. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Tech. Sgt. James Haymer, civilian firefighter and traditional reservist with the 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, completed the ruck march in his fire fighter gear for the 403rd Wing's 20th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ruck March, which was hosted in rembrance of those who lost their lives during the events of 9/11. The march was led by the 403rd Security Forces Squadron and was open to all members of Keesler Air Force Base, both military and civilian. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., takes off as a C-130J assigned to the 815th Airlift Squadron taxis to takeoff Aug. 27, 2021. Both squadrons evacuated to Kelly Field in San Antonio Texas ahead of anticipated Hurricane Ida. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

JOINT BASE ELMENDORFRICHARDSON, Alaska

A parachute rigged and palletized Humvee was loaded onto one of the 815th Airlift Squadron's C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for the heavy equipment cargo drop training missions during a training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2021. The 815th AS crews completed three Humvee heavy cargo airdrops totaling over 30,000 pounds of equipment during one formation flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek) Share

JOINT BASE ELMENDORFRICHARDSON, Alaska

Tech. Sgt. Jacob Fountain, 815th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, holds on after opening the cargo door ramp while the pilots conduct low-level tactical flight training patterns during a training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 13-16, 2021. The terrain of the mountain, valleys and along with the colder temperatures provided a different challenge for the low-level flights, which were an effective tactic in training for hostile environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek) Share