WASHINGTON, D.C.

Lt. Col. Steven Burton, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations, along with NOAA Cmdr. Kevin Doremus, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations headquarters, and Dr. Anna M. Wilson, Assistant Director of Atmospheric River Reconnaissance at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at Scripps, briefed congressional staff members about their unique and vital role in forecasting extreme weather at the U.S. Capitol June 24, 2025. The 53rd WRS, part of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, is the only Department of Defense unit dedicated to aerial weather reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Ethan Stoker) Share

WASHINGTON, D.C.

NOAA Cmdr. Kevin Doremus, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations headquarters, and Lt. Col. Steven Burton, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations, along with Dr. Anna M. Wilson, Assistant Director of Atmospheric River Reconnaissance at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at Scripps, briefed congressional staff members about their unique and vital role in forecasting extreme weather during an event at the U.S. Capitol June 24, 2025. The 53rd WRS, part of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, is the only Department of Defense unit dedicated to aerial weather reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Ethan Stoker) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Tech. Sgt. Vincent Boyd, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron loadmasters, briefs media representatives on a tour of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Media Day at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 6, 2025. As part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, the event offered nine civilian media outlets an inside look at the 53rd WRS—known as the Hurricane Hunters—and their mission. Media personnel interviewed squadron members to better understand the unit’s role in collecting critical data during storms, which enhances forecast accuracy and supports public safety and disaster readiness efforts across the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth). Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Lt. Col. Jeremy Dehart, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, talks to the media during a tour of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Media Day at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 6, 2025. As part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, the event offered nine civilian media outlets an inside look at the 53rd WRS—known as the Hurricane Hunters—and their mission. Media personnel interviewed squadron members to better understand the unit’s role in collecting critical data during storms, which enhances forecast accuracy and supports public safety and disaster readiness efforts across the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth). Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron provided a tour of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Media Day at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 6, 2025. As part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, the event offered nine civilian media outlets an inside look at the 53rd WRS—known as the Hurricane Hunters—and their mission. Media personnel interviewed squadron members to better understand the unit’s role in collecting critical data during storms, which enhances forecast accuracy and supports public safety and disaster readiness efforts across the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth). Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, an Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, collects atmospheric data during an atmospheric river mission over the Pacific Ocean Feb. 3, 2025. The data they collect improves forecasts. The unit has been flying missions out of Mather Airfield, California, and Yokota Air Base, Japan, this winter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Tobi Baker) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Lt. Col. Kelsey Carpenter, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, and Lt. Col. Brad Boudreaux, 53rd WRS pilot, review weather data collected during a mission into Hurricane Milton Oct. 8, 2024. Aircrews flew missions around the clock from Oct. 6-9, 2024, into Hurricane Milton to gather vital weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. The 53rd WRS, better known as the Hurricane Hunters, are a unit in the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flew a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Milton Oct. 8, 2024. Aircrews flew missions around the clock from Oct. 6-9, 2024, into Hurricane Milton to gather vital weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. The Hurricane Hunters, or 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, are a unit in the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

During weather reconnaissance missions, the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters release dropsondes, which collect temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, and barometric pressure data. The aircraft also collects surface wind speed and flight-level data. This information is transmitted to the National Hurricane Center to assist them with their storm warnings and hurricane forecast models. Crews with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew missions into Hurricane Milton around the clock from Oct. 6-9, 2024, to gather vital weather data for NHC forecasts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Marnee A.C. Losurdo) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Col. Elissa D. Granderson, 403rd Operations Group commander, flies a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Milton Oct. 8, 2024. Aircrews with 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, or Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters, flew missions around the clock from Oct. 6-9, 2024, into Hurricane Milton to gather vital weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Mark Withee) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flew a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Milton Oct. 8, 2024. Aircrews flew missions around the clock from Oct. 6-9, 2024, into Hurricane Milton to gather vital weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. The Hurricane Hunters, or 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, are a unit in the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Mark Withee) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flew a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Milton Oct. 8, 2024. Aircrews flew missions around the clock from Oct. 6-9, 2024, into Hurricane Milton to gather vital weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. The Hurricane Hunters, or 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, are a unit in the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Mark Withee) Share