While flying into Hurricane Ike, Maj. Jeff Ragusa, pilot, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, answers questions posed by Amy Schlesing of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

Inside the eye of Hurricane Ike, a WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft provides data from several different instruments including sensors on the aircraft, dropsondes and the new Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer, called a Smurf. The Smurf provides surface-level winds giving forecasters at the National Hurricane Center yet another source of information. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

Inside the eye of Hurricane Ike, a WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft provides data from several different instruments including sensors on the aircraft, dropsondes and the new Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer, called a Smurf. The Smurf provides surface-level winds giving forecasters at the National Hurricane Center yet another source of information. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

Staff Sgt. Shannon Smith prepares to launch a dropsonde from a WC-130J aircraft. Flown by the 53rd Weather Reocnnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters, the WC-130J has two removable pallets onboard for the weather mission. Weather Reconnaissance Loadmasters, such as Sergeant Smith, launch dropsondes throughout the average 10-12 hour flight, gathering data the Reservists provide to the National Hurricane Center. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

One of the tools in the Hurricane Hunter's arsenal is the dropsonde. This cylindrical package is packed with instruments that gather data such as wind speed and direction, humidity, barometric pressure and other readings which it snds by radio back to the WC-130J aircraft. The dropsonde also notes its exact location through use of GPS after it is released from the aircraft. It floats to the surface of the sea on its own parachute. The data collected from the dropsonde gives forecasters at the National Hurricane Center a vertical profile of the storm. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

Skies along the Mississippi Gulf Coast were already becoming overcast yesterday as Staff Sgt. Shannon Smith, weather reconnaissance loadmaster, provided information to pilots as the WC-130J backed out in preparation for takeoff. Sergeant Smith is a Reservist with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, better known as the Hurricane Hunters. The unit which collects data inside tropical storms and hurricanes feeds the information gathered to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

As the first engine on a WC-130J spins up, Staff Sgt. Shannon Smith, weather reconnaissance loadmaster, communicates with the pilots on board. Sergeant Smith and the Hurricane Hunters flew into Hurricane Ike yesterday as the massive storm approached the Texas coast. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

Lt. Col. Mark Carter, pilot views thunderstorms and sunset through the Heads-Up Display of the WC-130J after collecting data in Hurricane Ike. The flight lasted more than 9 hours and helped improve the National Hurricane Center forecast by 30 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Major Chad E. Gibson) Share

Pilot, Lt. Col. Mark Carter admires the sunset after 9 hours of flying Hurricane Ike. The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters of the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss fly 24-hours-a-day, collecting data inside the heart of Mother Nature's fury, Hurricane Ike. The data collected by the Hurricane Hunters improve the National Hurricane Center forecast by 30 percent. Share

The pilot's view of sunset through the Heads-up Display after flying into Hurricane Ike. The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters fly non-stop, 24-hours-a-day, collecting data in the storm which threatens the coastline of Texas. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Major Chad E. Gibson) Share

The eyewall of Hurricane Ike looms ominous as the WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft heads toward the center of the storm. Citizen Airmen of the 403rd Wing collect data inside the storm and send it to the National Hurricane Center, improving accuracy by up to 30 percent. Share

A WC-130J Hurricane Hunter takes off for a mission into the eye of Hurricane Ike. With the exception of two palletized weather stations, the WC-130J is not modified for missions into hurricanes and other troical weather. The aircraft is manned by U.S. Air Force Reservists from the 53rd Weather Reconniassance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share