KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. John Benson, 403rd Wing commander, inducts Robert Weaver, D’Iberville city manager, as his honorary commander during the 403rd Wing Honorary Commander Induction at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Jan. 11, 2025. The wing inducted 17 community leaders into the program during the Unit Training Assembly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

An 815th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft conducts a low-cost low-altitude (LCLA) airdrop July 18, 2023, at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The LCLA airdrop is accomplished by dropping bundles weighing 80-500 pounds with pre-packed expendable parachutes. This is routine training for the aircrews that support contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Mark Withee) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

An 815th Airlift Squadron aircrew lands a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Nov. 3, 2017. The flight marked the squadron's return to a full operational capability status meaning they are ready to deploy and conduct the combat airlift mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

An 815th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircrew conducts a training flight over Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Nov. 3, 2017. The Air Force Reserve Citizen Airmen practiced airdrops, flew with night vision goggles, and performed other tasks to prepare for missions in a deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Maj. Kevin Olson, 815th Airlift Squadron pilot with the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, takes part in a training mission Nov. 3, 2017. The squadron reached full operational capability, meaning they are ready for deployment and to conduct the combat airlift mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Lt. Col. Andrew Walter (right) took command of the 403rd Operations Support Squadron during a change of command ceremony held June 4, 2016, at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Lt. Col. Keith Gibson (left), 403rd Operations Group commander, presided over the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

NORMANDY, France

Members of one of the D-Day historical re-enactor groups recieved a tour of the C-130J and a framed print from the 815th Airlift Squadron on June 3, 2016. More than 380 service members from Europe and affiliated D-Day historical units are participating in the 72nd anniversary as a part of Joint Task Force D-Day 72. The Task Force, based in Sainte-Mère-Église, France, is supporting local events across Normandy, from May 30 - 6 June, 2016 to commemorate the selfless actions by all of the allies on D-Day that continue to resonate 72 years later. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

NORMANDY, France

Members of the Round Canopy Parachuting Team, dressed in D-Day period costumes, parachuted into Fresville, France June 2, 2016 during an exhibition jump. The Round Canopy Parachuting Team invited members of the 815th Airlift Squadron to assist in the drop zone. More than 380 service members from Europe and affiliated D-Day historical units are participating in the 72nd anniversary as a part of Joint Task Force D-Day 72. The Task Force, based in Sainte-Mère-Église, France, is supporting local events across Normandy, from May 30 - 6 June, 2016 to commemorate the selfless actions by all of the allies on D-Day that continue to resonate 72 years later. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

The most infamous storm in U.S. history, Hurricane Katrina carved a path of destruction from Miami to New Orleans, and up the Eastern United States. The storm reached a maximum intensity of Category 5 status, with 175 mph sustained winds. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the morning of August 29, 2005. This infrared satellite imagery shows the storm’s intensity: white is the most intense, followed by red, green, and blue. (Image courtesy of NOAA) Share

Intense damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. (U.S. Air Force photo) Share

Tech Sgt. Tom Barnaby, a loadmaster with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters explains a dropsonde's ability to gather tropical weather data from within an eye of a hurricane to guests during the Halifax, Nova Scotia stop of the 2015 East Coast Hurricane Awareness Tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brian Lamar) Share

Maj. Ivan DeRoche, a pilot with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters, explains the flight controls to a young visitor during the Halifax, Nova Scotia stop of the 2015 Hurricane Awareness Tour May 3. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Brian Lamar) Share