Meridian refuel unit training

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and the 81st Medical Group took part in Operation Magnolia Medical En route Care, a joint medical training exercise July 9 at Keesler AFB, Miss., and the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center. Keesler's reserve weather reconnaissance unit and the active-duty medical group partnered with the Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Airlift Wing and its 183rd Air Evacuation Squadron, based in Jackson, and the 186th Air Refueling Wing, based in Meridian. The exercise was considered cost-effective because the Hurricane Hunters were able to combine its weather and aeromedical training missions. The objective was to complete four separate training missions. The event simulated a combat medical extraction and aeromedical evacuation from a combat scenario to a military medical facility all while the 53rd conducted a simulated storm data gathering mission for the National Hurricane Center. (Source: 403rd Wing Air Reserve unit 07/11/2014)