June 1 marked the first day of the 2006 hurricane season, but was quiet for Air Force Reserve Command’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron—better known as the “Hurricane Hunters”—at Keesler AFB, Miss. In contrast, last year’s season kicked off early with Hurricane Adrian in May and ended late with Hurricane Epsilon in early December. In 2005, the Hunters flew more than 1,500 hours. The National Hurricane Center predicts the 2006 season will include up to 16 storms, with possibly 10 becoming hurricanes. It’s the NHC in Miami that calls in the Hurricane Hunters, who sometimes fly 11 hours, crisscrossing a storm and entering the eye several times per mission. The squadron is now flying their new WC-130Js, which fist saw duty during last year’s devastating season.
As Hurricane Melissa hammers the Caribbean, the U.S. Air Force’s “Hurricane Hunters” are busy flying into the massive Category 4 storm to collect atmospheric data—with one experiencing greater than expected turbulence Oct. 28.
