A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-14-03....Hurricane Hunters

dansangel; Billie

[dansangel]

[dansangel]

Please come join us as we welcome the Hurricane Hunters to A Few Of FR's Finest!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Angel.

[.45MAN]

Good morning to all!! Hope everyone has a great day, it's the turning point of the week.

[dansangel]

{{{{{{{{Aeronaut}}}}}}}}

.45MAN was "mad" that you "beat him to it." LOL!!!

Happy HumpDay!

[dansangel]

[nicmarlo]

Morning dansy, this is too funny:

The Hurricane Hunters who are stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi typically fly in a WC-130 Hercules aircraft.

My maiden name is Keesler! I signed the online guest book at that Air Force Base about a year ago...... : ) Thanks for sharing about the Hurricane Hunters....I didn't know they were stationed there. : )

[dansangel]

My maiden name is Keesler! I signed the online guest book at that Air Force Base about a year ago...... : )

That *is* a coincidence! So, what kind of aircraft do you fly? :-)

[nicmarlo]

I went looking for pics, and here's a link I found showing more info about the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve. It says it's:

one-of-a-kind: the only Department of Defense organization still flying into tropical storms and hurricanes--since 1944. Our ten Lockheed-Martin WC-130 aircraft and crews are part of the 403rd Wing, based at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.

and one of their pics....don't know if that's where you got yours, dansy:

A Typhoon:

Isn't that just beautiful??

[nicmarlo]

what kind of aircraft do you fly?

A tomcat

[dansangel]

It *is* beautiful....but I can't imagine flying into something like that. I'm a white-knuckled flyer in the best of conditions!

I did get a lot of my information form that site and the af.mil site as well.

[nicmarlo]

I've been in lots of different kinds of planes, even a privately owned four-seater....that sure was fun. I sat in the front....boy, could you see how beautiful the topography was where I used to live in western Colorado, over toward Utah area. I was less afraid in that than the larger planes...probably because I could actually see. As a kid, flying never frightened me, ever. As I've gotten older, the take offs make me nervous.....and I worry about my kids now, when they travel. But there's no way I'd purposely fly into a storm! (And I've been in the small prop planes in storms...talking about being knocked around!)

[dansangel]

Here's you at the controls and me just before I lost my lunch - LOL!!!

[dansangel]

(And I've been in the small prop planes in storms...talking about being knocked around!)

You *are* fearless! I was tricked into flying in a 10-seat commuter from W. Palm Beach to Miami in the mid-80's. We had to fly through a thunder cloud. When we reached the tarmac in Miami, I got down on my hands and knees, kissed the ground and announced, "If anyone needs me I'll be in the bar!" LOL!

[nicmarlo]

LOL! You bad, very bad!

[nicmarlo]

"If anyone needs me I'll be in the bar!"

I'll join ya (later), lol:

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday !

72 degrees as I post this.

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[Molly Pitcher]

Good morning dansangel, everyone!

Great thread dansangel. Lots to learn. Thank you!

I flew in a 9-seater from Providence RI to Nantucket and back last summer.

When I arrived at the check in desk, and the fellow asked me my weight, I knew this ride would be something different!!!

Suddenly wondered if this was such a good idea....LOL! Had I eaten too much for lunch??!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Whoops ! Today is WEDNESDAY, not Tuesday ! . . .

[dixie sass]

Morning Dansangel! Over the hump day! What a timely article. Everytime we drive to the airport we see the Planes they use for the this service. They are beauties too. But then, dating a ex-navy pilot and having a dad and brother and son who adore anything that soared through sky... well, you kind of get an appreciation for the birds and the men who fly them.

Having gone through a few hurricanes (Yep, Hugo was one). I definitely have a great appreciatiation for what they do. They ARE risking their lives everytime they fly into a storm. They buck enormous winds and lighting - two of the most destructive forms of nature.

There was a documentry sometime ago and they showed the going from the most horrible storm into the calmness of the eye. Such a contrast. Buffeting winds and rain and incredible noise to an eerie silence by comparison.

Living in the Low Country of Charleston,we have a great appreciation for what they do.. these men give us early warning. They are the reason the Islands were evacuated in a timely manner, ships moved to sea anchor, business closed and protected, etc, etc.