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. 🔗Read the full story, “The Hurricane Vs. The Hunter” by Staff Sgt. Stacey Thornburg. Click here: dvidshub.net/news/572689/hur…

The Air Force Reserve’s 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. #HurricaneHunters #53WRS #403rdWing #AirForceReserve #TropicalStormLala

Today, we flew missions into Tropical Storm Imelda to gather critical data for the National Hurricane Center. The WC-130J crews are tracking the storm’s strength, wind speeds and pressure to improve forecasts and help keep communities prepared. #ReadyNow

Last night, the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s Hurricane Hunters flew through Hurricane Kiko near Hawaii. The radar captured stunning views of the storm’s structure, while crews gathered data to improve forecasts that help protect lives and property across the Pacific. #HurricaneHunters #Kiko #NOAA #HurricaneSeason #ReserveReady

Part 4: Resilience and Return When Lt. Col. Sean Cross returned to the Gulf Coast, the scale of Katrina’s destruction was overwhelming. Entire neighborhoods in Biloxi were gone. Keesler Air Force Base, home of the 403rd Wing, had been heavily damaged. The community he knew had been forever changed. For the Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the devastation was deeply personal—many had lost their own homes and belongings. Yet the mission didn’t stop. The Hurricane Hunters relocated to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Atlanta, Georgia, where they continued flying the record-breaking 2005 season—the busiest in history. It wasn’t until November that the 53rd returned home. Their resilience, commitment, and sacrifice ensured the nation received the critical data it needed, even as they faced loss themselves. Cross’s story is a reminder that service often means pressing on—no matter what storms lie ahead. (U.S. Air Force video by Tech. Sgt. Shelton Sherrill)

Part 3: Riding Out Katrina When Hurricane Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, 2005, Lt. Col. Sean Cross and his now-wife sheltered with her family at their farm in Wiggins, Mississippi—alongside 50,000 chickens. The storm’s winds tore through the region, leaving roads blocked, power knocked out, and communities cut off. Cross remembers joining efforts to clear debris so emergency responders could reach those in need. Life without electricity became the norm, but the shock of the destruction reached far beyond downed trees. On the coast, massive casino barges were ripped from their moorings and hurled inland, crushing buildings and reshaping Biloxi’s shoreline. The damage was staggering, and the recovery would be long. 👉 Coming next: Resilience and Return.

Part 2: Preparing for the Landfall Before Hurricane Katrina roared into the Gulf, Lt. Col. Sean Cross had already flown the storm with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. From the air, he witnessed its growing power. On the ground, he—and everyone along the Gulf Coast—knew something life-changing was coming. As Katrina approached, the warnings grew urgent. Mandatory evacuations were ordered. Highways gridlocked with families trying to flee, many not knowing where they would end up. Cross and his now-wife left for her parents’ farm in Wiggins, Mississippi, where they would ride out the storm together. He recalls the weight of knowing that a storm of Katrina’s magnitude doesn’t just pass through—it forever changes the places and people in its path. 👉 Up next: Landfall and Loss.

Hurricane Katrina: A Story of Survival and Service Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, it forever changed the Gulf Coast—and the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base. Entire neighborhoods in Biloxi were devastated, Keesler was flooded, and thousands of lives were upended. For the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the “Hurricane Hunters,” the storm was more than a mission—it was personal. They flew Katrina before it ever reached the Gulf, and many would later return home to destruction and loss. In this 4-part series, Lt. Col. Sean Cross shares his powerful first-hand story of flying Katrina, preparing for landfall, and living through the aftermath. 👉 Stay tuned for Part 2: Preparing for the Landfall.

The Surface Atmosphere Sea Coupling: WAves, Turbulence, Currents, and Hurricanes (SASCWATCH) Project is breaking new ground in hurricane science! By combining ocean buoys, NOAA flyovers, and our #HurricaneHunters, researchers are studying how waves, currents, and turbulence exchange heat, moisture, and energy between the ocean and atmosphere during extreme storms. The goal? To improve hurricane forecasts and better understand how tropical cyclones grow and intensify—keeping communities safer. #HurricaneScience #SASCWATCH #53WRS #HurricaneHunters #NOAA

Last night, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew into the eye of Hurricane Erin—and captured imagery of the breathtaking stadium effect. These missions provide critical data to the NHC to improve forecasts, helping keep communities safe before the storm makes landfall.#readynow #weatherready

On Tuesday we briefed congressional staffers about our mission, working with #NOAA & #Scripps to improve forecasts, upgrade aging aircraft, and address data transmission challenges—all to save lives and reduce costs. 403wg.afrc.af.mil/News/Artic…

Ahead of hurricane season, we deployed parts, tools, and comm systems to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. This forward staging allows us to quickly launch missions into developing storms across the Atlantic. As the only DoD unit to fly into storms, we collect vital data satellites can’t—improving forecasts and protecting lives. 403wg.afrc.af.mil/News/Artic…

We flew our last mission into Hurricane Milton yesterday, our eighth mission into the storm since Sunday, collecting data for National Hurricane Center forecasts. To learn more about why we do this mission ⬇️ 403wg.afrc.af.mil/News/Artic…

Our 403rd Operations Group Commander Col. Elissa Granderson was our pilot for today’s mission into #hurricanemilton2024🌀 collecting weather data for NHC forecasts. She is responsible for all matters pertaining to the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Operations Group that includes 20 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, two operational weather flights, an operations support squadron, tactical airlift squadron, aeromedical evacuation squadron, and the Hurricane Hunters, the only weather reconnaissance squadron in the Department of Defense. For forecast information visit nhc.noaa.gov/ Stay safe and #weatherready!

Teal 72 prepares for take off this morning for their mission into #HurricaneMilton. To accomplish this around-the-clock mission, we have a fleet of 10 WC-130 Super Hercules, configured with palletized weather instrumentation for penetration of tropical disturbances and storms, hurricanes and winter storms to obtain data on movement, size and intensity. This data is sent to NHC to improve forecasts. For the latest forecast information, visit nhc.noaa.gov Listen to local officials, and evacuate if told to do so. Stay safe! #weatherready #WeatherReadyNation #readynow

Engine start up for another mission into #HurricaneHelene.