Hello again! Keesler aircraft relocate to Lackland avoiding Hurr

Robert Huth, Joint Base San Antonio transient alert marshaller, directs a WC-130J Hercules “Hurricane Hunter” weather reconnaissance aircraft from the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, into a parking spot on the 433rd Airlift Wing ramp at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas Oct. 6, 2020. This is the third time this season aircraft have temporarily relocated to the Alamo Wing due to storms in the Biloxi, Mississippi area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona)

403rd Wing evacuates aircraft for third time

For the third time this year, the 403rd Wing will HurrEvac their aircraft, this time all remaining aircraft are heading to Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, but this time it was to get out of the path of Hurricane Delta. The Hurricane Hunters will continue to fly Delta to provide weather information to the National Hurricane Center, which greatly improves their intensity and track forecasts. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Hello again! Keesler aircraft relocate to Lackland avoiding Hurr

A WC-130J Hercules “Hurricane Hunter” weather reconnaissance aircraft from the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, taxis to a parking spot on the 433rd Airlift Wing ramp at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas Oct. 6, 2020. Several WC-130J and C-130J tactical airlift aircraft temporarily relocated to Lackland to avoid damage from Hurricane Delta. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona)

403rd Wing evacuates aircraft for third time

Active 2020 storm season has 403d evacuating its aircraft for third time, this time for Hurricane Delta

Published Oct. 7, 2020
By Lt. Col. Marnee Losurdo
403rd Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --

It’s not déjà vu! For the third time this year, the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing relocated its aircraft this year, but this time it was to get out of the path of Hurricane Delta as it makes its way toward the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The wing’s 815th Airlift Squadron, a tactical airlift unit, and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, or Hurricane Hunters, are relocating their aircraft to Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. The Hurricane Hunters will continue to fly Delta to provide weather information to the National Hurricane Center, which greatly improves their intensity and track forecasts.

Hurricane Delta intensified into a Category 4 today in the Caribbean Sea with sustained winds of 130 miles per hour and is expected to impact Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula early Wednesday and make landfall along the Northern Gulf Coast by Friday, with a risk of storm surge, wind and rainfall hazards from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle beginning Thursday night and into Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“Once again, we are moving aircraft as a precautionary measure ahead of these storms for two reasons: first, to protect the aircraft from damage, and second, so we can continue to fly storm reconnaissance missions,” said Col. Jeffrey A. Van Dootingh, 403rd Wing commander. “This year has been challenging. This now ties the busiest storm seasons on record, and we are accomplishing the mission providing valuable weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts, all while mitigating the impacts of COVID. Regardless of what 2020 throws our way, we have been able to get the mission accomplished thanks to our outstanding Airmen who ensure we are always ready.”