VICKSBURG, Miss.

Senior Airman Baylee Beightol, 815th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, is crowned Miss New South during the Miss Meridian Organization's competition in Vicksburg, Miss., Oct. 22, 2023. Beightol will represent her hometown of Hattiesburg during the Miss Mississippi competition June 2-8, 2024. (Courtesy photo) Share

VICKSBURG, Miss.

Senior Airman Baylee Beightol, 815th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, competes in the talent portion of the Miss Meridian Organization's competition in Vicksburg, Miss., Oct. 22, 2023. Beightol will represent her hometown of Hattiesburg during the Miss Mississippi competition June 2-8, 2024. (Courtesy photo) Share

VICKSBURG, Miss.

Senior Airman Baylee Beightol, 815th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, wears her Miss New South crown and sash following the Miss Meridian Organization's competition in Vicksburg, Miss., Oct. 22, 2023. Beightol will represent her hometown of Hattiesburg during the Miss Mississippi competition June 2-8, 2024. (Courtesy photo) Share

VICKSBURG, Miss.

Senior Airman Baylee Beightol, 815th Airlift Squadron loadmaster and newly crowned Miss New South, is flanked by Miss Meridian and Miss Queen City following the Miss Meridian Organization's competition in Vicksburg, Miss., Oct. 22, 2023. Beightol will represent her hometown of Hattiesburg during the Miss Mississippi competition June 2-8, 2024. (Courtesy photo) Share

KONA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Hawaii

Chief Master Sgt. Rick Cumbo, loadmaster for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, stands in front of the tail of a WC-130J Super Hercules at Kona International Airport, Hawaii, July 28, 2020. Cumbo became the recordholder for most eyewall penetrations, with 341, after flying Hurricane Douglas July 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristen Pittman) Share

Saint Criox, U.S. Virgin Islands

Senior Airman Donny Arseneaux, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, explains the data on his station to Maj. Joyce Hirai, 53rd WRS aerial reconnaissance weather officer, June 17 over St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The Hurricane Hunters deployed to St. Croix to fly training missions over the Caribbean in preparation for the 2020 hurricane season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Tech. Sgt. Larry Banks, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, prepares to drop a simulated buoy from a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft March 19, 2020, off the Gulf Coast of Mexico. The Hurricane Hunters train all year to maintain readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Larry Banks) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Navy Capt. Bill Whitmire, Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport commander, listens to Tech. Sgt. Anthony DiStefano, 815th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, talk about the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and details about his career field Feb. 21 at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Navy Seabees had the opportunity to meet with the Reserve Citizen Airmen of the 403rd Wing and learn about the different missions across the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Master Sgt. Chris Becvar, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmaster, demonstrates the dropsonde tube operations inside of a WC-103J Super Hercules at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 23, 2019. The loadmaster, who doubles as a dropsonde operator launches the parachute-rigged device from the aircraft using the tube. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Carranza) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Senior Airman John Boudreaux loadmaster, 815th Airlift Squadron checks his helmet aboard a C-130J Super Hercules, April 18, 2019, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Boudreaux suffered three fractured vertebra in a car wreck. After receiving surgery and completing physical therapy, he attended loadmaster school for a second time and is in the process of completing his training to become a fully qualified loadmaster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Michael Farrar) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Senior Airman John Boudreaux, 815th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, guides cargo into a C-130J Super Hercules, April 18, 2019, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Boudreaux suffered three fractured vertebra in a car wreck. After receiving surgery and completing physical therapy, he attended loadmaster school for a second time and is in the process of completing his training to become a fully qualified loadmaster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Michael Farrar) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Senior Airman John Boudreaux (left), 815th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, listens to Lt. Col. Stuart Rubio (right), 815th AS commander and pilot, during a post-mission briefing April 18, 2019, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Boudreaux suffered three fractured vertebra in a car wreck. After receiving surgery and completing physical therapy, he attended loadmaster school for a second time and is in the process of completing his training to become a fully qualified loadmaster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Michael Farrar) Share