Media Day With The Hurricane Hunters

Jene Young of WKRG-TV in Mobile, Ala. interviews Lt. Col. Jon Talbot, Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer for the Hurricane Hunters during Media Day on May 8, 2007. Six media outlets from across the nation flew on the technologically advanced WC-130J to better understand the critical mission of the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the 403rd Wing. The data collected by the Hurricane Hunters increase the accuracy of the National Hurricane Center forecast by 30 percent. This year, the Hurricane Hunters will be equipped with the Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer which continuously measures the wind speed at the surface of the ocean and can measure rainfall rates in the storm. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Tabitha Spinks)