Air Force Reserve Command’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler AFB, Miss., has sent a couple of its Hurricane Hunter WC-130J Hercules aircraft to Andersen AFB, Guam, to participate in tropical cyclone research project with US Navy researchers. For Tropical Cyclone Structure-2008, the hurricane-chasing aircrews will work with scientists from the Office of Naval Research and Naval Research Lab, which also has contributed a P-3 aircraft to the effort. Navy lead scientist Patrick Harr said it is part of a nine-nation project under the auspices of the UN’s World Meteorological Organization, which hopes to “increase predictability associated with all aspects of tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific.” The 53rd WRS has deployed 15 maintainers and 13 aircrew members to provide 24-hour operations through September. (Andersen report by TSgt Brian Bahret)
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
