KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. — A WC-130J Super Hercules from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters, flew into the eye of Hurricane Erin on Aug. 16, 2025, collecting vital data for forecasters.

The Hurricane Hunters conduct these missions on behalf of the National Hurricane Center, gathering atmospheric data such as wind speeds, barometric pressure and temperature. This information is critical to improving the accuracy of storm forecasts and protecting lives and property along the U.S. coastline.

Operating out of Keesler Air Force Base, the 53rd WRS is part of the 403rd Wing and remains the only Department of Defense unit tasked with flying directly into tropical systems. The WC-130J, equipped with advanced sensors and weather instruments, allows crews to safely navigate the extreme conditions within hurricanes.

For decades, the squadron’s flights have provided meteorologists with real-time data that satellites and ground-based systems cannot capture, giving coastal communities more time to prepare for potentially life-threatening storms.

Source: DVIDS (Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)