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

Maj. Joyce Hirai, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, checks the data from the dropsonde prior to sending it to the National Hurricane Center 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 NHC 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.

Lt. Col. Ryan Rickert and Maj. Joyce Hirai, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officers, discuss the weather data 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

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

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., approaches the outskirts of Hurricane Ida Aug. 27, 2021. The squadron flies into tropical systems to collect atmospheric data for forecasting purposes and is the only one of its kind in the Department of Defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., sits on the flight line Aug. 27, 2021. The 53rd WRS flies reconnaissance missions into tropical systems to collect data the National Hurricane Center uses for forecasting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

U.S. Navy Capt. (Dr.) Beth Sanabia, instructor of oceanography at the U.S. Naval Academy, loads an Airborne eXpendable Bathythermograph for launch during a flight into Hurricane Ida Aug. 29, 2021. Each summer, Sanabia and midshipmen from the USNA, as well as personnel from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute participate in an internship studying the ocean’s temperatures ahead of tropical systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

1st Lt. Tim Viere, pilot for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., steers a WC-130J toward Hurricane Ida off the coast of Cuba Aug. 27, 2021. The flight left from Keesler and recovered in San Antonio in order to avoid forecasted impacts from the storm as well as continue to support the data collection mission of the 53rd. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Tech. Sgt. Brandon Oliver, 913th Maintenance Squadron electrical and environmental technician, works on a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., June 6, 2021. E&E technicians maintain and repair the wiring and electrical components on an aircraft ranging from everything to cabin pressurization to wiring for engine control. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Tech. Sgt. Dani Enderby, 913th Maintenance Squadron electrical and environmental technician, works on a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., June 6, 2021. E&E technicians maintain and repair the wiring and electrical components on an aircraft ranging from everything to cabin pressurization to wiring for engine control. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., takes off for a flight into Tropical Storm Elsa July 6, 2021. The 53rd WRS “Hurricane Hunters” are an Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 403rd Wing and are the only unit in the Department of Defense that flies weather reconnaissance missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

A WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., takes off for a flight into Tropical Storm Elsa July 6, 2021. The 53rd WRS “Hurricane Hunters” are an Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 403rd Wing and are the only unit in the Department of Defense that flies weather reconnaissance missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman) Share