AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters

AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters This is the official page of the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters. The 403rd Wing Public Affairs office maintains this page. This is a moderated forum.
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The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the 403rd Wing collects data for tropical weather and winter storms. If you wish to comment, use the text box. The Department of the Air Force reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. That means all comments will be reviewed. In addition, we expect that participants will treat each other, as well as our agency and our employees, with respect

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09/07/2026

🌊🌀 Hurricane Hunters support ocean research ahead of Hurricane Lowell

The 53rd WRS “Hurricane Hunters” and Naval Oceanographic Office supported the Office of Naval Research (ONR) ocean buoy deployments in front of Hurricane Lowell as part of SASCWATCH—the Study on Air-Sea Coupling with Waves, Turbulence, and Clouds at High Winds.

Videos show bouy releases and the red dots mark buoy locations as the storm approaches, as well as their movement beneath the storm’s influence. These buoys collect critical data on:

• Surface winds
• Wave conditions
• Sea-level pressure
• Sea-surface temperature

The information helps researchers better understand how hurricane-force winds affect the ocean’s surface—and how the ocean, in turn, interacts with the storm.

09/07/2026

🌀 INTO THE STORM | Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are flying Hurricane Lowell, collecting critical data to help forecasters determine the storm’s intensity and track.

The 53rd WRS is the Department of War’s only unit routinely tasked to fly weather reconnaissance missions into tropical cyclones.

Stay weather-aware, follow guidance from local officials and have a plan ready if conditions change.

09/04/2026

Our crews are currently flying Hurricane Lowell in the Pacific, gathering data real-time and sending to the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center. The crews have seen a max wind speed at 150 knots and 927 milibars for barometric pressure and it shows strengthening.

Video by pilot Maj. Forrest Heintz below shows what the eye of Hurricane Lowell looks like right now.

Stay

09/03/2026

As Tropical Storm Edouard approached landfall earlier this week, Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flew directly into the storm in the early morning hours to collect critical data that helped forecast models keep communities informed. ✈️🌀

Flying through a storm takes resilience. But resilience doesn’t mean facing everything alone.

As we recognize Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, remember that the same is true for the storms we face in our own lives. Sometimes resilience looks like reaching out, checking on a teammate, asking for help, or simply letting someone know, “I’m here.”

You don’t have to weather the storm alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:

📞 Call or text 988
🇺🇸 Military members: Call 988, then press 1

Check on your people. Start the conversation. Be there.

***dePreventionAwarenessMonth

🎥 by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg

Our 403d Wing, Air Force Reserve, alongside Keesler Air Force Base, hosted members from U.S. Senator Roger Wicker’s offi...
08/31/2026

Our 403d Wing, Air Force Reserve, alongside Keesler Air Force Base, hosted members from U.S. Senator Roger Wicker’s office, which included a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron mission brief and a tour of a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

Looking for an eyes-in-the-sky update? Our crews are currently staying busy tracking storms from the Pacific to the Atlantic, along with a current disturbance in the Gulf of America. 🇺🇲🌀

📸 by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg

08/28/2026

As Tropical Storm Dolly dissipates in the Atlantic, our Hurricane Hunters will continue to train and stand by for future missions.

Dolly Parton once said, “I've always believed that if you are in a position to help, you should. ”

Our crews do just that — ready to head into storms at a moment’s notice to help those back on the home front prepare.

Two Dollys. One mission: help people. ❤️✈️

🎥 by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg & Lt. Col. Mark Withee

Did you know? 👀When you see “TEAL” on a flight tracker, you’re not watching just any aircraft- you’re watching the Air F...
08/26/2026

Did you know? 👀

When you see “TEAL” on a flight tracker, you’re not watching just any aircraft- you’re watching the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters in action! 🌀✈️

📊Infographic by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg

Maj. Sarah Olsen, one of our aerial reconnaissance weather officers, spoke with Bill Snyder and Hugh Keeton, local news ...
08/22/2026

Maj. Sarah Olsen, one of our aerial reconnaissance weather officers, spoke with Bill Snyder and Hugh Keeton, local news anchors for South Mississippi’s WLOX, about the current hurricane season, Hurricane Lala, and even diving into the atmospheric river missions that take place off-season.

The segment will broadcast on WLOX News This Week tomorrow morning at 8:30 A.M. CST

📸 by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg

When a hurricane meets its hunter, the fury remains—but so does the determination of the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hun...
08/19/2026

When a hurricane meets its hunter, the fury remains—but so does the determination of the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters.

We take an inside look at the aircrew members of the WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft as they face the extreme conditions of these storms head-on to collect critical data that helps forecasters better understand and track hurricanes.

🔗Click the link below to read the full story, “The Hurricane Vs. The Hunter”.

📸 and ✍️ by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg.

When a hurricane meets its hunter, the fury remains, but so does the determination of the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters.

The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters flew into Tropical Storm Lala yesterday, ...
08/15/2026

The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters flew into Tropical Storm Lala yesterday, collecting critical atmospheric data to help forecasters better determine the storm’s location, intensity and movement.

As the storm impacts the Hawaiian Islands, residents and visitors are encouraged to stay weather aware, prepare for changing conditions and follow the National Hurricane Center for the latest official forecasts and advisories.

📸 | courtesy photos

Address

701 Fisher Street, Rm 204
Keesler Air Force Base, MS
39534

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:45pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:45pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:45pm
Thursday 8am - 4:45pm
Friday 8am - 4:45pm

Telephone

+12283772056

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