Air force reserve 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron patch

The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, an air force reserve unit located at keesler air force base, mississippi. Us air force 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron military patch hurricane hunters. By 1993, however, the unit split into two squadrons, at which time the tactical airlift squadron reverted to the 815th tas flying jennies. The air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron departed keesler air force base, mississippi, sept. The general was briefed on the different missions of the 403rd wing, to include a flight on a wcj super hercules training mission with the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron. This is the official page of the air force reserve hurricane hunters. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, also known by its nickname, hurricane hunters, is a flying unit of the united states air force, and the only department of defense organization still flying into tropical storms and hurricanes. Over the years, the number of of weather squadrons was pared back, especially with. Details about original wwii aaf 53rd reconnaissance squadron jacket patch felt. The air force reserve hurricane hunters are continuing to monitor hurricne lane which is projected to hit the main hawaiian islands the afternoon of aug. The air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron flew a recent fix mission out of keesler air force base into tropical storm. The 53rd wrs weather reconnaissance squadron, better known as the hurricane hunters, is a united states air force squadron of aircraft based in biloxi, ms, that flies missions into hurricanes and weather systems for research purposes and observation. List of united states air force weather reconnaissance squadrons.

Ashley lundry, aerial reconnaissance weather officer, are members of the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, referred to as the hurricane hunters, which is a unit in the air force reserve s 403rd wing at keesler air force base, mississippi. Jenna daniel both loadmaster with the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, keesler air force base, mississippi, look at meteorological data at their workstation on a wcj super hercules during a mission to fly through the eye of hurricane irma sep. Air force reserves 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron flew a fix mission out of keesler air force base in biloxi, mississippi into tropical storm hermine which was named a hurricane midflight. The air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron spent part of june in sri lanka flying missions over the indian ocean as part of a research project to study the islands atmosphere and predict monsoon patterns. Afns the air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron flew a fix mission sept. To study atmospheric rivers, scientists need to get close. Air force reserve hurricane hunters stationed at keesler air force base, miss. Hurricane hunters fly winter storm air force reserve.

A wcj super hercules aircraft departed keesler air force base, mississipi. Air force 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron hurricane hunters patch. Twenty aircrews belong to the squadron stationed at keesler air force base, mississippi the defense departments only manned weather reconnaissance unit. Air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron spent part of june in sri lanka flying missions over the indian ocean as part of a research project to study. The air force reserve 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, the worlds only operational military weather reconnaissance unit, is based at keesler air force base in biloxi, mississippi. Aligned under the 403rd wing of the air force reserve command afrc and based at keesler air force base, mississippi, with ten aircraft, it flies into. Hurricane hunters fly florence, conduct search and rescue. Threatening weather does not stop once hurricane season ends, and it becomes the mission of the 403rd wings 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron to remain prepared to fly in order to collect data from winter storms to improve forecasts. The reserve citizen airmen will start flying reconnaissance missions. A wcj super hercules aircraft departed keesler air force base, miss. Air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron spent part of june in sri lanka flying missions over the indian ocean as part of a research project to study the islands atmosphere and predict monsoon patterns.

In 1991, the duties for the 53rd were shifted to an air force reserves airlift. Hurricane hunters flew into dorian, and the photos are. In the afternoon, hermine had max wind speeds of 70 mph at the surface, with a center about 110 miles due south of panama city beach, florida, and was heading. Original wwii aaf 53rd reconnaissance squadron jacket. The hurricane hunter crew arrived june 15 to assist with research in the bay of bengal on monsoon intraseasonal. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, a component of the 403rd wing located at keesler air force base in biloxi, miss. Hurricane hunters of the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron. The vessel was making a transatlantic voyage from portugal to the bahamas, and was not. The air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron is flying missions into hurricane florence over the atlantic ocean and hurricane olivia over the pacific ocean this week. The weather squadron resurrected the 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, and now proudly carries on the tradition as the hurricane hunters. Air force reserve s 403rd wing at keesler air force, mississippi, is the 15 sep 2018 u. Two air force officers realized their dreams about becoming a.

Zachary ziemann, 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron loadmaster, checks the data from a dropsonde after it was released near the eye wall of hurricane lane aug. The general also toured the 403rd maintenance group and met with reserve citizen airmen throughout the day to learn more about the mission and their concerns. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squdron, based out of keesler air force base, mississippi, began flying into hurricane lane out of the. Air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron spent part of june in sri lanka air force reserve hurricane hunters assist with monsoon research maj.

Aligned under the 403rd wing of the air force reserve command afrc. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals. List of united states air force weather reconnaissance. Hurricane hunters fly into, collect data on hurricane. Air force reserves 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron. Air force reserve hurricane hunters assist with monsoon. In june of 1991, the 53rd wrs was deactivated, and all weather reconnaissance responsibility fell to the air force reserves 815th weather squadron, which had existed concurrently with the 53rd since 1976.

It is the only operational unit in the world flying weather reconnaissance on a routine basis. This rainfall season put the air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron in an oncall status to fly atmospheric rivers beginning february through the middle of march. Air force reserve s 403rd wing at keesler air force base. The 53rd wrs is the only defense department unit that flies. Af reserve hurricane hunters, keesler air force base, ms. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, assigned to the u.

Air force reserve hurricane hunters assist with monsoon research the u. On june 30, 1991 the air forces 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron the hurricane hunters was disbanded. Kait woods, 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron aerial reconnaissance weather officer, explains the air force reserve hurricane hunter mission to dignitaries at the queen beatrice international airport, aruba, during the 2019 caribbean hurricane awareness tour. Air force weather reconnaissance squadron patches flying. Air force reserve s 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron assisted the u. We ask the public to plan ahead, listen and watch for weather advisories, as well as heed the advice of local. Afns the air force reserves 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron flew a fix mission sept. The squadron, also known as the hurricane hunters, conducted their first atmospheric river mission this year feb.

Christopher dyke has a lifelong love of weather, especially hurricanes. Hurricane hunters fly winter storm march air reserve. Wwii us army air force aaf 10th combat weather squadron pinback pb meyer dui di. Hurricane hunters fly into hurricane hermine keesler air. Original wwii aaf 53rd reconnaissance squadron jacket patch felt. It is the only department of defense unit that conducts aircraft reconnaissance missions into severe tropical weather during the hurricane season, which is june 1 through nov. An air force reserve 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron wcj super hercules aircraft departs keesler air force base, miss. The united states air force reserve 403rd wings 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, also known as the hurricane hunters, flew their first winter storm of the season feb.

The air force reserve hurricane hunters fly nonstop, 24 hours a day collecting data in the storm that threatened the coastline of texas in 2008. The term hurricane hunters was first applied to its missions in 1946. Airmen monitor florence, provide data to national hurricane center. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron on an wcj super hercules aircraft descend as they make their way back to the travis air force base on. The 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, known as the hurricane hunters of the air force reserve, is oneofakind. The united states air force reserve 403rd wings 53rd weather reconnaissance squadron, more affectionately known as the hurricane hunters, is most wellknown for doing the unfathomableflying at 10,000 feet, sometimes less, through major tropical systems, storms and hurricanes to collect useful data. In june of 1991, the 53rd wrs was inactivated, and all weather reconnaissance responsibility fell to the air force reserve s 815th weather squadron, which had existed concurrently with the 53rd. The 53rd wrs provides data vital to the national hurricane center to assist the forecasters in providing an updated model of the projected path of the storm.