KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flew a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Milton Oct. 8, 2024. Aircrews flew missions around the clock from Oct. 6-9, 2024, into Hurricane Milton to gather vital weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. The Hurricane Hunters, or 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, 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.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Alex Boykin, instructor pilot with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, sketches Hurricane Sally at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Aug. 03, 2025. Boykin, who flew through the 2020 storm, drew the system’s spiral bands and eyewall structure to illustrate the challenges Hurricane Hunters face when navigating aircraft through severe weather. The artwork highlights how crews combine aviation skills, meteorological data and experience to safely complete missions that provide critical information to forecasters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Jessee) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Alex Boykin, instructor pilot with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, poses for a photo at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Aug. 03, 2025. Boykin is one of the pilots responsible for leading aircrews through some of the most dangerous flying conditions in the Air Force, including low-level tropical storm investigations and penetrations into the eyewalls of hurricanes. The data his crews collect is used by the National Hurricane Center to improve storm forecasts and save lives along the Gulf Coast and beyond. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Jessee) Share

ALPENA COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, Mich.

U.S. Airmen from various installations assigned to the 22nd Air Task Force disembark a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 815th Airlift Squadron, on the flight line during Exercise Northern Strike 25-2 (NS 25-2) at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Michigan, Aug. 8, 2025. NS 25-2 tested multi-component and partner forces through a challenging, realistic and dynamic scenario based on global security challenges and theoretical future conflicts. Northern Strike is a premier reserve component training event that focuses on joint readiness training to build interoperability and strengthen partnerships in an all-domain environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols) Share

ALPENA COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, Mich.

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 815th Airlift Squadron, taxis on the flight line during Exercise Northern Strike 25-2 (NS 25-2) at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Michigan, Aug. 8, 2025. NS 25-2 tested multi-component and partner forces through a challenging, realistic and dynamic scenario based on global security challenges and theoretical future conflicts. Northern Strike is a premier reserve component training event that focuses on joint readiness training to build interoperability and strengthen partnerships in an all-domain environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols) Share

ALPENA COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, Mich.

U.S. Army Reserve Soldier Staff Sgt. Michael Gray, a parachute rigger assigned to the 861st Quartermaster Company, Theater Aerial Delivery Company, steps out of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 815th Airlift Squadron, at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, Michigan, Aug. 8, 2025. The 861st Quartermaster Company executed airborne operations including personnel parachute jumps, bundle drops, and heavy equipment airdrops during Northern Strike 25-2, Michigan’s premier reserve component training event focused on joint readiness, building interoperability, and strengthening partnerships in an all-domain environment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Elise Wahlstrom) Share

KEELSER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Eric Tabor, 403rd Wing in service recruiter, reads and responds to email on Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., July 22, 2025. Tabor previously served 14 years on the active duty side before switching to the Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Jessee) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Eric Tabor, 403rd Wing in service recruiter, sits at his desk on Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., July 22, 2025. Tabor has recently moved to Keesler AFB as an in service recruiter where his primary role is to inform active duty of the benefits of the Reserve and help them transition over. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Jessee) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Eric Tabor, 403rd Wing in service recruiter, displays a flyer outside his office on Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., July 22, 2025. Tabor was a line recruiter for eight years and was also a trainer with the 368th Recruiting Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Jessee) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

U.S. Air Force reservists can be eligible for military tuition assistance that can potentially cover up to 100 percent of tuition and fees for eligible courses taken by Airmen at accredited institutions. The program is designed to support professional development and career advancement for Citizen Airmen. Please contact the 403rd Wing's education office for more information and to see if you qualify. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Emily Bloodworth). Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Senior Master Sgt. Spring Walden, 403rd Wing education and training program manager, addresses attendees during her retirement ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 2, 2025. Walden enlisted in 1991, returned to service in 2004 after a break due to injury, and will retire as an Air Reserve Technician. After retirement, she plans to train her K9 for a new canine search and rescue task force and continue working toward her bachelor’s degree. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill). Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Senior Master Sgt. Spring Walden, 403rd Wing education and training program manager, receives flag from Honor Guard during her retirement ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Aug. 2, 2025. Walden enlisted in 1991, returned to service in 2004 after a break due to injury, and will retire as an Air Reserve Technician. After retirement, she plans to train her K9 for a new canine search and rescue task force and continue working toward her bachelor’s degree. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill). Share