KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, aka Hurricane Hunters, taxis to the runway July 10, 2019 at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The Super Hercules aircraft took off midday for an investigative flight into a tropical depression over the Gulf of Mexico. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, aka Hurricane Hunters, begins to takeoff July 10, 2019 at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Tail number 75303 took off midday for an investigative flight into a tropical depression over the Gulf of Mexico. (Courtesy photo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, aka Hurricane Hunters, takes off July 10, 2019 from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Tail number 75303 took off midday for an investigative flight into a tropical depression over the Gulf of Mexico. (Courtesy photo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, aka Hurricane Hunters, takes off July 10, 2019 from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Tail number 75303 took off midday for an investigative flight into a tropical depression over the Gulf of Mexico. (Courtesy photo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, or Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters, takeoff today for a storm mission into Tropical Depression Three located in the Bay of Campeche. The mission originally scheduled as an invest became a fix mission before departing. The 53rd WRS will gather weather data and send it to the National Hurricane Center which helps to improve their computer models that forecast movement and intensity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron will participate in NOAA's Gulf Coast Awareness Tour May 16-20, touring five U.S. coastal cities to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for the upcoming huricane season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech.Sgt. Ryan Labadens) Share

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron sits on the flightline prior to an atmospheric river mission Jan. 27 at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. The Hurricane Hunters are slated to perform “AR recon” from January through March. Scientists led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California, San Diego, in partnership with the 53rd WRS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Aviation’s National Weather Service and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, will be on standby to fly through these ARs over the Pacific to gather data to improve forecasts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

ST. CROIX, US. VI

Members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron takeoff for Hurricane Sam to gather weather data for the National Hurricane Center, Sept. 28, 2021. The weather data is collected and sent to the NHC in order to ensure more accurate and up-to-date forecasts and models of the storms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

ST. CROIX, US. VI

Inside the eye of Hurricane Sam, members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron collect weather data. The data is sent to the National Hurricane Center, which is used to improve the forecast models and help people prepare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Joyce Hirai) Share

ST. CROIX, US. VI

After the last flight into Hurricane Sam, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron returned to their forward operation location in the St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Oct 2, 2021. This location is used to operate 24 hours a day for storms that are located in the Atlantic Ocean that are not within reach of Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Tauston Jackson) Share

ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I.

Staff Sgt. Keith Taylor, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, prepares dropsondes for the storm as the Hurricane Hunters fly into Hurricane Sam, Sept. 27, 2021. Hurricane Sam had downgraded to a category 3 hurricane when the AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters entered, but was intensifying before they headed back. The Hurricane Hunters gather data weather data from dropsondes and aircraft sensors, which is given to the National Hurricane Center to assist them with their forecasts and storm warnings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share

ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I.

Staff Sgt. Keith Taylor, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, prepares dropsondes for the storm as the Hurricane Hunters fly into Hurricane Sam, Sept. 27, 2021. Hurricane Sam had downgraded to a category 3 hurricane when the AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters entered, but was intensifying before they headed back. The Hurricane Hunters gather data weather data from dropsondes and aircraft sensors, which is given to the National Hurricane Center to assist them with their forecasts and storm warnings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jessica L. Kendziorek) Share