Hurricane Hunters overseas?

[SmellsLikeAvGas]

I was wondering if anyone knew how many people at the Hurricane Hunter Wx Reconn. station in Biloxi end up going to Iraq? Do most stay stateside to fly storms, or are there are lot that have been activated overseas? Just curious, thanks.

 

[bssthound]

So far, none. Our mission is to fly tropical storms/hurricanes/winter storms that threaten the U.S. and Hawaii. There's a possibility that we could be sent over to fly airlift.

 

[SmellsLikeAvGas]

Oh really?
I heard they were interviewing in January for pilots; do you know if there is going to be another selection board meeting in 2006? Also, I read that you were supposed to start flight school by your 27th birthday or something like that; do you know if that's accurate? (I'm 26 and 4 months.) Thanks so much.

 

[mudkow60]

bssthound...

Do you fly with them? When I was getting out of the Navy, I talked to some folks over there. Very nice and helpful.

Are you guys back at Keesler? I landed the Sea Pig there a few times to get fuel and pick up pax when I was in P Cola, and during Katrina stuff.

Looks like great flying. I am a metro major so I think it would be a blast.

 

[bssthound]

Mudkow60: I've been in the 53d ten years this summer. We've been back at Keesler since early November. Storm flying is unique, to say the least. I've seen some incredible sights, both on the surface and in the clouds. One thing, anyone who's flown in a hurricane and seen what it does to the sea surface would not hesitate to evacuate an oncoming storm. Also, we have picked up several Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard guys since I've been here.

SmellsLikeAvGas: I'm not sure how the age deal works. We just had a nav get picked up for UPT. He goes in May. He's about 27 or so; since he's already been in the military I think he'd be good up to about 30 or so. There are plenty of threads about UPT requirements. Also, there are many, many FI members who can tell you the exact age requirements.

 

[dtfl]

FYI if you get "hired" as a new Pilot in the 53rd you will fly with the TAC airlift sq. The Wing CC wants the new pilots to get seasoning doing real flying (no offense JF) vs flying in circles on autopilot. The TAC flying is more challenging and you learn how to fly - then you can move back and fly the storms.

 

[yeahguy]

bssthound,

I'm too curious: what does the sea surface look like underneath a hurricane???

also, I just finished hanging out with your guys at the Punta Gorda airshow...good times!!!

 

[bssthound]

yeahguy asked

I'm too curious: what does the sea surface look like underneath a hurricane???

Check out our website: www.hurricanehunters.com
Click on into the eye: 1996-2005; it has a few pictures and brief descriptions of just about every storm we flew during that period.

Notice it's a dot com address; it's the 53d's own site, period.

As far as a description; when we get in close to the max wind band near the eye if you can see the surface it looks like a big plate of blue & green glue with cotton streaked across it. Kinda eerie. Farther out from the eye I've seen waves about 100' tall that would crash down approx the length of a city block.

also, I just finished hanging out with your guys at the Punta Gorda airshow...good times!!!

Yes, they came back a bit "tired" but with smiles on their faces. I'd have made that one but I was taking a census of our pond with a rod & reel!

Speaking of Punta Gorda, I was flying Charley as it came ashore. Very ugly.

 

[MJG]

On a related note, how many The Weather Channel meteorologists are part of the unit?? Just Warren and Nicole ?? Just curious as I was caught off guard seeing Lt. Nicole Mitchell being interviewed by Jim Cantorie one day last season. Very cool to see some "celebs" doing the reserve thing.

 

[bssthound]

Warren & Nicole are the only two WX Channel folks we have. They're both flying meteorologists, known as Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officers (ARWOs). They were both in the military well prior to working at the WX Channel. Both are great folks and really good Reservists.