Re: Hurricane Hunters

Posted by Mike R. on September 15, 2009, 10:18 pm, in reply to "Hurricane Hunters"
24.24.214.92

More of an update on the Hurricane Hunter's. The Hurricane Hunters are attached to the 53rd Weather Sq out of Biloxi Mississippi. They are flown by the U.S. Air Force Reserve, not active duty personal. They fly the WC-130J INTO the hurricanes while NOAA fly around them in their P-4 Orion's. The 53rd has been around over 50 years. While on active duty for the Air Force in the late 60's I worked with them while stationed in Puerto Rico assigned to Armament and Electronics Sq.. When those planes returned from a mission they went straight to the hanger for MAJOR repairs. Before they got the new WC-130's they used old B-36's and B-47's. Many never returned and were lost at sea. Whenever there is a hurricane the 53rd is the first in. While in Kauai this summer, the 53rd flew from Mississippi to Hawaii to monitor the hurricanes that ALMOST hit the islands.I had a chance to visit with them at the Lihue airport while there. Planes are the same and the men that fly them are just as crazy as when I worked with them.

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