WASHINGTON, D.C.

Lt. Col. Steven Burton, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations, along with NOAA Cmdr. Kevin Doremus, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations headquarters, and Dr. Anna M. Wilson, Assistant Director of Atmospheric River Reconnaissance at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at Scripps, briefed congressional staff members about their unique and vital role in forecasting extreme weather at the U.S. Capitol June 24, 2025. The 53rd WRS, part of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, is the only Department of Defense unit dedicated to aerial weather reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Ethan Stoker) Share

WASHINGTON, D.C.

NOAA Cmdr. Kevin Doremus, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations headquarters, and Lt. Col. Steven Burton, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations, along with Dr. Anna M. Wilson, Assistant Director of Atmospheric River Reconnaissance at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at Scripps, briefed congressional staff members about their unique and vital role in forecasting extreme weather during an event at the U.S. Capitol June 24, 2025. The 53rd WRS, part of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, is the only Department of Defense unit dedicated to aerial weather reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Ethan Stoker) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. Adam Hohman took command of the 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron in a change of command ceremony at the Roberts Consolidated Maintenance facility, April 6, 2025. The 403rd ASTS is the only Reserve medical unit in Mississippi, ensuring the medical readiness requirements are being met for 1,600 reservists in the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. John Benson, 403rd Wing commander, passes the guidon to Col. Adam Hohman, who took command of the 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron in a change of command ceremony at the Roberts Consolidated Maintenance facility, April 6, 2025. The 403rd ASTS is the only Reserve medical unit in Mississippi, ensuring the medical readiness requirements are being met for 1,600 reservists in the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

MATHER AIR FIELD, Calif.

Master Sgt. Kayla Deangelo, 5th Operational Weather Flight training element chief, briefs aircrew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron during the preflight briefing before an atmospheric river mission, Feb. 18. The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters conduct atmospheric river missions to collect data that is important for forecasters at the National Weather Service and researchers to track atmospheric rivers, which are large amounts of water vapor in the earth’s atmosphere. This data is invaluable in improving the accuracy of weather models, especially in predicting the timing, intensity, and impact of these events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. John F. Benson, 403rd Wing commander, addresses Airmen during a commander’s call at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, March 9, 2025. The commander reiterated the wing’s focus of airmen readiness and development and being prepared answer our nation’s call. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. John F. Benson, 403rd Wing commander, addresses Airmen during a commander’s call at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, March 9, 2025. The commander reiterated the wing’s focus of Airmen readiness and development and being prepared answer our nation’s call. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. Jaret Fish, 403rd Wing deputy commander, addresses Airmen during a commander’s call at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, March 9, 2025. The commander reiterated the wing’s focus of Airmen readiness and development and being prepared answer our nation’s call. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. John F. Benson, 403rd Wing commander, presents the 403rd Wing Aircrew of the Year award to a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aircrew during his commander’s call at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, March 9, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. John F. Benson, 403rd Wing commander, congratulates Craig Edsall, exercise program manager for the 403rd Wing Inspector General Inspections office, for being named the recipient of the Lt. Gen. Howard W. Leaf Award in Civilian Category II for 2024. The commander recognized the wing's award winners during his commander’s call at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, March 9, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. John F. Benson, 403rd Wing commander, congratulates Senior Master Sgt. Frank Strong, 403rd Wing Safety Office, for receiving the Air Force Reserve Command Safety Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for 2024. The commander recognized the wing's award winners during his commander’s call at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, March 9, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany

Staff Sgt. Alexis Adeleke, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight medical technician, stands with an AE team during her deployment to Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The primary focus for Aeromedical Evacuation Squadrons are to provide rapid and reliable medical evacuation services in the commitment to saving lives of service members. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo) Share