Airmen assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, deployed to the U.S. Virgin Islands as they collect data on Hurricane Fiona as it remains a threat to land.
The squadron, known as the “Hurricane Hunters”, is the only operational unit in the world to carry out regular weather reconnaissance. Its missions provide atmospheric data that forecasters use to create more accurate models.
Hurricane Hunters began flying over Fiona on September 15, when it was a tropical storm.
It made landfall as a hurricane in Puerto Rico on September 18, knocking out power to the island and causing widespread devastation. The Governor of Puerto Rico has activated more than 450 members of the Puerto Rico National Guard to assist with response efforts.