Last year, the Atlantic basin produced five hurricanes. Three of those (Erin Humberto, and Melissa) were category five storms, the highest level of intensity. For over 80 years, the United States Air Force Reserve has tracked weather across the Atlantic. Today, the Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (WRS) is the only operational military unit in the world flying weather reconnaissance on a routine basis.
Using their fleet of WC-130J aircraft, known as the Super Hercules, the Air Force’s Hurricane Hunters surveil tropical storms, hurricanes, and even winter storms. Their special aircraft is equipment with meteorological data-gathering instruments that help to perform these storms tracking aerial missions.
Join servicemembers from the 53rd WRS as they talk about their experiences flying through Earth’s worst weather to gather information that helps improve forecast models and increase our knowledge on weather phenomena.
The lecture is free; tickets are required. Register online at https://bit.ly/tix-may20lecture.
The Amelia Earhart Lecture in Aviation History is sponsored by RTX.