KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

To enhance WC-130J Super Hercules communication capabilities, the United States Air Force Reserve completed the successful temporary installation and test of a third Very High Frequency, or VHF, antenna on a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aircraft May 1 at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The third VHF antenna provides the Training and Research in Oceanic and Atmospheric Processes in Tropical Cyclones, or TROPIC, U.S. Naval Academy’s internship program a dedicated channel for gathering data during storm missions. Once testing and evaluation is completed over the summer, installation of the antenna on the 10 WC-130Js is projected to begin this fall. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Crystal Register) 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.

Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Entrekin, 41st Aerial Port Squadron senior enlisted leader, read the names of the six fallen Port Dawgs from 2023. during the Annual Port Dawg Memorial Run on the flight line May 4. This is a career wide event that takes place annually for all Aerial Port Squadrons around the world, celebrating those Port Dawgs that lost their life in the previous year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emily Bloodworth) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Devices representing the fallen Port Dawgs are hung on a chain as their names are read during the Annual Port Dawg Memorial Run on the flight line May 4. This is a career wide event that takes place annually for all Aerial Port Squadrons around the world, celebrating those "Port Dawgs" that lost their life in the previous year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emily Bloodworth) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Members of the 41st Aerial Port Squadron participated in the Annual Port Dawg Memorial Run on the flight line May 4. This is a career wide event that takes place annually for all Aerial Port Squadrons around the world, celebrating those "Port Dawgs" that lost their life in the previous year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emily Bloodworth) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The 403rd Wing’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is teaming up with NOAA's National Hurricane Center for the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour April 16-20, 2024. The event provides the public the opportunity to learn about the aerial weather reconnaissance mission and the importance of being prepared for the upcoming hurricane season. The tour stops are Nassau, Bahamas, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. (NOAA graphic) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall exits a C-130J with U.S. Air Force Col. John Benson, 403rd Wing commander, at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 3, 2024. The 403rd Wing is the only Air Force Reserve Command wing in Mississippi, composed of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron ‘Hurricane Hunters’ and the 815th Airlift Squadron ‘Flying Jennies’. Kendall visited Keesler to observe base operations and meet service members assigned to Second Air Force, the 81st Training Wing and the 403rd Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Davis) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall addresses 81st Training Group Airmen and Guardians at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 3, 2024. Keesler trains more than 28,000 students annually with an average daily student load of more than 4,127, instructing not only Air Force, but Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and civilian federal agency personnel. Kendall visited Keesler to observe base operations and meet service members assigned to Second Air Force, the 81st Training Wing and the 403rd Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Davis) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall addresses 81st Training Group Airmen and Guardians at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 3, 2024. Kendall spoke with students in training during their final formation to pass along his thanks for their dedication and commitment to excellence as they start their military careers. Kendall visited Keesler to observe base operations and meet service members assigned to Second Air Force, the 81st Training Wing and the 403rd Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Davis) Share