WC-130J HURRICANE HUNTER

403rd Wing | Air Force Reserve Command

INTO THE STORM.

While most aircraft are ordered to avoid severe weather, the crews of the WC-130J Hurricane Hunter fly directly into it.

Operating from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, part of the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing, flies some of the most demanding missions in military aviation. Known as the Hurricane Hunters, these aircrews penetrate tropical storms and hurricanes to collect critical atmospheric data used by the National Hurricane Center to improve forecasts and protect lives.

Flying the specially equipped Lockheed Martin WC-130J Hercules, these crews repeatedly penetrate hurricane eyewalls, measuring wind speeds, atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity in conditions most pilots will never encounter.

THE DESIGN

This DCP Apparel design pays tribute to the aircraft, crews, and mission of the United States Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters.

Back Graphic: A dramatic depiction of a WC-130J of the 403rd Wing navigating the towering eyewall of a hurricane, complete with Hurricane Hunter typography.

Front Chest: The distinctive Air Force Reserve Command emblem, honoring the organization and the airmen who carry out this extraordinary mission.

AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS

• Aircraft: Lockheed Martin WC-130J Hercules
• Operator: 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
• Wing: 403rd Wing, Air Force Reserve Command
• Home Station: Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi
• Powerplant: Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops
• Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in
• Length: 97 ft 9 in
• Primary Mission: Tropical cyclone reconnaissance and atmospheric data collection

The Hurricane Hunters represent a unique intersection of military aviation, meteorology, and public service. Their mission isn’t to fight an enemy. It’s to understand one of nature’s most powerful forces.

DCP APPAREL — AVIATION IS IN OUR DNA.