210131-F-KV687-1166

Master Sgt. Chris Becvar, loadmaster for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., opens the dropsonde tube in preparation to load it during an atmospheric river flight out of Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Nev., Jan. 31, 2021. The purpose of AR flights is to collect atmospheric data which is sent to forecasters on the west coast to help more accurately predict precipitation forms and amounts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Pittman)