Hurricane Hunters fly into Ian to gather vital data for NHC fore

Maj. Forrest Heintz, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot, left, and Maj. Kendall Dunn, pilot and aircraft commander, fly into Hurricane Ian Sept. 28, 2022.The 53rd WRS, also known as the U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters, have flown 14 missions into Ian since Sept. 21, 2022, to gather vital weather data for use in National Hurricane Center forecasts. The unit is assigned to the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and the unit is the only one of its kind in the Department of Defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo)