Hurricane Hunters fly thru Dorian

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - Three WC-103J’s and one C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 403rd Wing departed Keesler Air Force Base on Aug. 27 for Curacao to provide weather reconnaissance support for Tropical Storm Dorian. The three weather crews, assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, have been flying missions as of Monday night, said Maj. Kendall Dunn, 53rd WRS pilot. The tactical airlift crew, assigned to the 815th Airlift Squadron, is carrying extra cargo and aircraft parts to support the weather aircraft, he added. According to the National Hurricane Center website in regards to Tropical Storm Dorian, TS conditions are expected and hurricane conditions are possible in Puerto Rico on Aug. 29 and portions of the Dominican Republic into Thursday. The Hurricane Hunters’ aircrews fly through the eye of a storm four to six times to locate the low-pressure center and circulation of the storm. During each pass, they release a dropsonde, which collects weather data on its descent to the ocean surface, specifically gathering data on the surface winds and pressure. Due to a lack of radar and weather balloons availability over the Atlantic Ocean, the 53rd WRS flies into the storms, gathers the data, and provides this data to the NHC to assist with forecasts and storm warnings via a satellite communication every 10 minutes. (Source: Keesler AFB 08/29/19) https://www.keesler.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1945905/flying-tropical-storm-dorian/