Storm-flying ‘our type of combat’

KEESLER AFB, Miss. – The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, better known as the Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunters” based out of Keesler Air Force Base, is the only AF unit tasked with the mission of collecting data from the inside of a storm and flying into the eyes of hurricanes. This specialized unit is made up of a five-person crew. All aircraft are forbidden to fly into severe weather by FFA regulations - with the exception of the Hurricane Hunters, who fly into storms to collect atmospheric data for the National Hurricane Center’s use in forecasts. “We fly into weather, when all other aircraft have to stay at least 20 miles out to avoid it,” said Maj. Kendall Dunn, the 53rd WRS pilot. “Flying into storms, this is our type of combat.” Dunn’s been flying with the AF Reserve since 2013, and has about 1,500 flight hours in the WC-130J Super Hercules and has been into 25 named storms. Every mission requires a pilot and a co-pilot who are responsible for all crewmembers and the mission’s outcome. Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer Maj. Tobi Baker acts like a flight director by continually monitoring and checking for accuracy from atmospheric data collected via the sensors. The data is used to guide the aircraft into the center of a storm. He also directs when “dropsonde” sensors are released. Dropsondes collect information - temperature, pressure, wind direction and wind speed - from various locations inside of a storm and transmits observations via satellite to the NHC. “The (weather) mission and the level of responsibility we have to the public is a tall order that we take seriously,” Dunn said. “There is no other job that I would rather have.” (Source: Keesler AFB 06/03/19) The 2019 Atlantic-Gulf of Mexico hurricane season began June 1, and ends Nov. 30.