Hurricane Hunters fly dual mission

KEESLER AFB, Miss. – The Air Force Reserve’s “Hurricane Hunters” of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler assisted the Coast Guard with a search and rescue mission Sept. 11, locating a 41-foot Bali sailing catamaran while working a mission of flying into Hurricane Florence off the coast of the Carolinas. The catamaran was making a trans-Atlantic voyage from Portugal to the Bahamas, and was not responding. After receiving a SAR-assistance request from the CG, crew members of the 53rd WRS aircraft were able to hail the boat, and receive a reply. The Hurricane Hunters then turned to those new coordinates gotten from the sailboat crew, and the boat was identified within 10 minutes. The sailboat crew was notified about Hurricane Florence and after their destination and intent was received, the Hurricane Hunters headed back to Savannah, Ga., to continue monitoring Florence. "This isn't the first time we have conducted a search and rescue mission, because as aviators and even mariners, we have a duty to render assistance," said Lt. Col. Thomas Moffatt, 53rd WRS navigator. (Source: 403rd Wing 09/12/18)