KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

1st Lt. Amaryllis Cotto, aerial reconnaissance weather officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., looks at atmospheric data collected during a flight into Hurricane Ida Aug. 27, 2021. The data collected helps forecasters better predict the path of a tropical system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

1st Lt. Tim Viere, pilot for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., steers a WC-130J toward Hurricane Ida off the coast of Cuba Aug. 27, 2021. The flight left from Keesler and recovered in San Antonio in order to avoid forecasted impacts from the storm as well as continue to support the data collection mission of the 53rd. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) 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

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., approaches the outskirts of Hurricane Ida Aug. 27, 2021. The squadron flies into tropical systems to collect atmospheric data for forecasting purposes and is the only one of its kind in the Department of Defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., sits on the flight line Aug. 27, 2021. The 53rd WRS flies reconnaissance missions into tropical systems to collect data the National Hurricane Center uses for forecasting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Master Sgt. Megan Hayden, 2nd Lt. Kyra Traino, Airman 1st Class Tobias Frank, and Staff Sgt. Maya Hurley, all of the C-130 Weapons System Management Flight at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., stand in front of a WC-130J assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., prior to an incentive flight Aug. 25, 2021. The 32-person flight oversees parts accessioning for 454 C-130Js in 59 locations across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Lancaster supervises Staff Sgt. William Parker, 403rd Fabrication Flight aircraft structure mechanic, drills a hole in the engine bulkhead of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Aug. 24, 2021. The flight is responsible for aircraft structural maintenance to include painting and sanding of aircraft parts. The 403rd Wing’s fleet consists of 10 WC-130J and 10 C-130J aircraft which are flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and 815th Airlift Squadron, respectively. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Christopher Carranza) Share

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall stands with Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of Space Operations Command, in front of a Space-Based Infrared System model at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Aug. 18, 2021. During his first visit to Peterson SFB, Kendall met with U.S. Space Command, U.S. Northern Command and SpOC leadership, as well as Airmen and Guardians to recognize their roles in protecting the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark) Share

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBORHICKAM, Hawaii

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall shares his vision with Airmen during a town hall at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 17, 2021. Kendall visited the base to meet Airmen and Guardians and discuss activities aimed at enhancing interoperability with allies and partners to ensure peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark) Share

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBORHICKAM, Hawaii

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall shares his vision with Airmen during a town hall at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 17, 2021. Kendall visited the base to meet Airmen and Guardians and discuss activities aimed at enhancing interoperability with allies and partners to ensure peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark) Share

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBORHICKAM, Hawaii

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall hands out coins to Airmen after having a meeting with them at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 17, 2021. Kendall visited the base to meet Airmen and Guardians and emphasized his top priorities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark) Share

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBORHICKAM, Hawaii

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall shares his vision with Airmen during a town hall at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 17, 2021. Kendall visited the base to meet Airmen and Guardians and discuss activities aimed at enhancing interoperability with allies and partners to ensure peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark) Share