ST. CROIX, US. VI

After the last flight into Hurricane Sam, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron returned to their forward operation location in the St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Oct 2, 2021. This location is used to operate 24 hours a day for storms that are located in the Atlantic Ocean that are not within reach of Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Tauston Jackson) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Willig, 41st Aerial Port Squadron air transportation craftsman, participates in the "fit to fight" portion of the Port Dawg Challenge at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Oct. 2, 2021. This part of the fitness portion has Willig raising a heavy tire tread up to pitch it over multiple times as his teammates and evaluators observe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Farrar) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Staff Sgt. Robert Koltas, 403rd Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion technician at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., removes an engine oil pan hoist from an overhead hoist after successfully using it to remove an oil pan from a C-130J engine Oct. 1, 2021. A team from the 403rd MXS recently submitted their idea of the engine oil pan hoist to AFWERX’s Spark Tank competition, placing 29th out of 184 and earning recognition as a ‘Just Do It’ submission.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Members of the 403rd Maintenance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., work to remove an engine oil pan Oct. 1, 2021. A team from the 403rd MXS recently submitted their idea of an engine oil pan hoist to AFWERX’s Spark Tank competition, placing 29th out of 184 and earning recognition as a ‘Just Do It’ submission.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Staff Sgt. Robert Koltas, 403rd Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion technician at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., removes a harness strap from an engine oil pan hoist Oct. 1, 2021. A team from the 403rd MXS recently submitted their idea of the engine oil pan hoist to AFWERX’s Spark Tank competition, placing 29th out of 184 and earning recognition as a ‘Just Do It’ submission.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Master Sgt. Donald Maloid, of the 403rd Maintenance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., operates an overhead hoist as Senior Master Sgt. Michael Lee, 403rd MXS propulsion shop flight chief, monitors the lowering of a C-130J engine oil pan Oct. 1, 2021. Lee and a team from the 403rd MXS recently submitted their idea of an engine oil pan hoist to AFWERX’s Spark Tank competition, placing 29th out of 184 and earning recognition as a ‘Just Do It’ submission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

ST. CROIX, US. VI

Inside the eye of Hurricane Sam, members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron collect weather data. The data is sent to the National Hurricane Center, which is used to improve the forecast models and help people prepare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Joyce Hirai) Share

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.

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

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