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.

Tech. Sgt. Vincent Boyd, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmasters, briefs media representatives on a tour of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Media Day at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 6, 2025. As part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, the event offered nine civilian media outlets an inside look at the 53rd WRS—known as the Hurricane Hunters—and their mission. Media personnel interviewed squadron members to better understand the unit’s role in collecting critical data during storms, which enhances forecast accuracy and supports public safety and disaster readiness efforts across the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth). Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Lt. Col. Jeremy Dehart, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, talks to the media during a tour of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Media Day at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 6, 2025. As part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, the event offered nine civilian media outlets an inside look at the 53rd WRS—known as the Hurricane Hunters—and their mission. Media personnel interviewed squadron members to better understand the unit’s role in collecting critical data during storms, which enhances forecast accuracy and supports public safety and disaster readiness efforts across the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth). Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron provided a tour of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Media Day at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 6, 2025. As part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, the event offered nine civilian media outlets an inside look at the 53rd WRS—known as the Hurricane Hunters—and their mission. Media personnel interviewed squadron members to better understand the unit’s role in collecting critical data during storms, which enhances forecast accuracy and supports public safety and disaster readiness efforts across the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth). Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Lt. Col. Sean Cross, 403rd Wing Chief of Safety, briefs nine civilian media outlets on hurricane preparedness and the impact of Hurricane Katrina during a Media Day at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 6, 2025. The event was organized to emphasize Hurricane Preparedness Week, and allowed the 403rd Wing to highlight its mission, focus media attention on readiness for the upcoming hurricane season, and showcase the capabilities of the 53rd WRS, also known as the Hurricane Hunters. The briefing marked the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a catastrophic storm that devastated the Gulf Coast and reshaped emergency preparedness efforts in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth). Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Maj. Ian Park, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, does his pre-flight checks prior to a mission into Hurricane Helene Sept. 26, 2024. The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flew weather reconnaissance missions around the clock from Sept. 23 to 26, 2024 into Hurricane Helene to gather vital weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. The Hurricane Hunters, or 53rd WRS, are a unit in the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A Charleston, Virginia, reporter interviews Capt. Ryan Smithies, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot, during the NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour, May 9, 2024, at the Charleston Air Force Base International Airport. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircrew and a team of NOAA hurricane experts visited five Atlantic Coast cities as part of the HAT May 6-10, 2024. The tour is a joint effort between NOAA's National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center and the 403rd Wing's 53rd WRS to promote awareness about the destructive forces of hurricanes and how people can prepare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Lt. Col. Tobi Baker, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, brief South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster on how the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters collect weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts May 9, 2024, during the NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour at Charleston Air Force Base/International Airport, South Carolina. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircrew and a team of NOAA hurricane experts visited five Atlantic Coast cities as part of the HAT May 6-10, 2024. The tour is a joint effort between NOAA's National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center and the 403rd Wing's 53rd WRS to promote awareness about the destructive forces of hurricanes and how people can prepare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Member of the public tour an Air Force Reserve WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at the Portland International Jetport in Maine May 6, 2024. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircrew and a team of NOAA hurricane experts visited five Atlantic Coast cities as part of the Hurricane Awareness Tour May 6-10, 2024. The tour is a joint effort between NOAA's National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center and the 403rd Wing's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron to promote awareness about the destructive forces of hurricanes and how people can prepare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Dr. Michael Brennan, National Hurricane Center director, briefs the press about the importance of being prepared for the upcoming hurricane season at a press conference at the Portland International Jetport in Maine May 6, 2024, during the NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircrew and a team of NOAA hurricane experts visited five Atlantic Coast cities as part of the HAT May 6-10, 2024. The tour is a joint effort between NOAA's National Weather Service and NHC, and the 403rd Wing's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron to promote awareness about the destructive forces of hurricanes and how people can prepare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

More than 10,000 people toured the U.S. Air Force Reserve's WC-130J aircraft during the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour at Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, April 20, 2024. NOAA hurricane specialists and the U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters discussed hurricane preparedness, resilience and how people can become “weather-ready” during the CHAT April 16-20, 2024. As part of the event, dignitaries, students and the public toured the aircraft to learn how scientists collect hurricane information to improve National Hurricane Center forecasts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share