Kermit the Frog hunts hurricanes

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration flys the WP-3 Orion turboprop "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft. NOAA has a 10 percent overlap of the weather reconnaissance mission flown by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron; 90 percent of their mission is scientific research. With permission from Jim Henson Productions, NOAA names their aircraft after various Muppet characters; pictured here is Kermit the Frog. Since 2006 members of the 53rd WRS and NOAA crewmembers have gathered each year to talk over procedures, data systems and storm coordination. This year the meeting was held here at Keesler Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)