Hurricane Hunters Not a Job for the Faint of Heart

It's True - They Fly Right into the Eye of a Hurricane

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve, is one-of-a-kind: the only Department of Defense organization still flying into tropical storms and hurricanes--since 1944.  

The primary mission of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (53rd WRS) is to conduct tropical storm reconnaissance.   Tropical reconnaissance is governed by the National Hurricane Operations Plan. This plan specifics that the 53rd WRS will support 24 hour a day continuous operations and have the ability to fly up to 3 storms at a time with a response time of 16 hours.  Learn more about The Mission


As you can see in the video, it takes special people and equipment to complete these very critical missions.

More Videos:  Flying Into the  Eye of Irma (NOAA Hurricane Hunters)

There are five different flying jobs at the Hurricane Hunters. ALL jobs are part of the Air Force Reserve. Half of the positions are part-time (traditional reservists), and half are full-time (Air Reserve Technicians).  Learn more about The People   Want to know how to become a Hurricane Hunter? Find out here!

Hurricane Season in Atlantic
June 1 - November 30

Cyberflight into the Eye of a Hurricane
Join Us for a Virtual Storm Flight

You're just in time... head across the hall to our auditorium,
and join the crew for the pre-mission briefing ...    

Hurricane Hunters Not a Job for the Faint of Heart

It's True - They Fly Right into the Eye of a Hurricane

The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve, is one-of-a-kind: the only Department of Defense organization still flying into tropical storms and hurricanes--since 1944.  

The primary mission of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (53rd WRS) is to conduct tropical storm reconnaissance.   Tropical reconnaissance is governed by the National Hurricane Operations Plan. This plan specifics that the 53rd WRS will support 24 hour a day continuous operations and have the ability to fly up to 3 storms at a time with a response time of 16 hours.  Learn more about The Mission


As you can see in the video, it takes special people and equipment to complete these very critical missions.

There are five different flying jobs at the Hurricane Hunters. ALL jobs are part of the Air Force Reserve. Half of the positions are part-time (traditional reservists), and half are full-time (Air Reserve Technicians).  Learn more about The People   Want to know how to become a Hurricane Hunter? Find out here!

Cyberflight into the Eye of a Hurricane

Join Us for a Virtual Storm Flight

You're just in time... head across the hall to our auditorium, and join the crew for the pre-mission briefing.

Briefing

Hurricane Hunter Preparedness Events

C-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft (Credit: NOAA)

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Hurricane Preparedness

Atlantic, Mexico and Caribbean

Public invited to tour Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft

NOAA and the U.S. Air Force Reserve are hosting a series of Hurricane Preparedness events in the Atlantic, Mexico, and Caribbean between March 18 and 27, 2010.  This is an early start to efforts to educate the public about hurricanes.

 A Hurricane Preparedness Web site has been launched by NOAA. The goal of this Web site is to inform the public about the hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 23rd through May 29th 2010

Tours of the Air Force Reserve Command’s WC-130J "hurricane hunter" aircraft will be available to residents, who will also have the opportunity to meet directors and staff including personnel from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the 403rd Wing.


“The squadron is the only remaining military unit in the world which routinely flies into tropical cyclones to aid in the United States Hurricane Warning Program,“ said Lt. Col. Jonathan Talbot, Chief Weather Officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.

Locations and times for public tours are listed below (all times are local):

• Friday, March 19: Bermuda; 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
• Monday, March 22: Mazatlan, Mexico; 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  
• Tuesday, March 23: Merida, Mexico; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
• Wednesday, March 24: San Salvadore, El Salvadore, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  
• Friday, March 26: Antigua; 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  
• Saturday, March 27: Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  

Hurricane season goes from June 1st through November. For additional information about hurricanes, including useful links, see the "Weather" tab above.  Last season we monitored several tropical storms which fortunately weren't as devastating as in some past years.