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Hurricane Bill
US Air Force Hurricane Hunter Flight
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After being somewhat disappointed in the 2009 Hurricane Season, I did manage to get this one highlight for the season.  I recieved a call from Staff Sgt. Tanya King the Public Relations Officer with the US Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters division.  She asked if I would be available for a flight into Hurricane Bill leaving from Andrew's Air Force Base and making a few passes through Hurricane Bill off the New England coast.  I was not 100% sure I could get my things together in time, but coordinated and even with a earlier departure than originally scheduled, was able to fly with the Hurricane Hunters on August 23rd, 2009 (departure was August 22nd at around 10pm).

Hurricane Bill:
     
This storm was not a threat to US for landfall, but did create some decent rough surf, beach erosion and did account for at least one dealth of a young girl caught by the large waves in Acadia National Park on August 23rd 2009.  Another 19 people were swept into the water, but most made it back to shore safely.  Many warnings and personnel were placed along the shoreline from Georgia up through Maine which kept most people out of harms way.

The storm itself emerged off the coast of Africa with the National Hurricane Center (NHC), amoung others, already watching the system of convective storms.  On August 15th, NHC reported and designated the system had reach tropical depression status.  Early on August 17th, 2009 Bill reached Hurricane Status. On the 18th of August the storm rapidly intensified and by the 19th it was at it's peak intensity of 135mph, making it a Catagory 4 hurricane.  After that it began to weaken.  Bill was a Category 1 storm during my flight and did maintain it's strength, even after the flight when later it hit Novia Scotia.


The United States Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters
The main thing I learned this flight was about the men and women who make these operations happen.  Unlike full time military personnel, these folks are part of the Reserve, which means they have to keep regular jobs and make accommodations when they are called for service.  Many companies and families accomodate this much to the appreciation of the military, the National Weather Service and the people they serve. 

The Hurricane Hunters are part of the 403rd Airwing based out of Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. 

PHOTOGRAPHS (Click to Enlarge)
Photos

Debriefing meeting prior to take-off.
Imbedded supercell in feeder band during third pass morning of August 23rd


This and the similar shot to the left showing various cloud formations on the morning of August 23rd as we make our third pass through Hurricane Bill

It is very difficult to get photos from the WC-130J as the windows are small and only a few exist.
Here the flight meteorologist goes over data to aid the pilots in avoiding dangers (such as mesos and tornadoes) and continously monitor the storms progress.  This is not the person who does the dropsondes.

The crew for my flight with the US Air Force Hurricane Hunters (403rd Wing from Kessler Air Force Base)
And I quick shot of myself.  Prior to my flight the night before I was at a Nationals Game...it was a tight last minute schedule.
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