Hurricane Hunter pilot explains typical mission to Biloxi residents
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - Community members got a personal experience with a Hurricane Hunter Thursday morning in Biloxi. The pilot explained exactly what the important weather investigating team does.
Hurricane Hunter missions can be intense and dangerous. But beyond that, what exactly does the mysterious Air Force reserve program do? That was the question being answered by Lt. Col. Jeff Ragusa.
Ragusa was hoping to make the public more aware of what a Hurricane Hunter mission entails.
"To make sure that they know what we're doing and what they're role in that is. If we're just out there doing it, spinning our wheels, then it's just not worth it. It's just not something we should be doing unless people are going to gain something from it," he said.
Ragusa's ultimate goal is to help the public make life-saving decisions when storms are headed their way.
"We just want them to pay attention. Please don't let me be doing it for nothing," said Ragusa.
The informative session was hosted by the Biloxi Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. Those in attendance were introduced to what it takes to pull off a data collecting mission with the Hurricane Hunters, officially known as the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.
"Extremely eye-opening, especially when he demonstrated what each crew member did on the aircraft," said Elijah Mitchell.
Mitchell was part of that demonstration, acting as a pilot. There were also volunteers portraying the co-pilot, navigation, meteorologist, and more.
The experience gave Mitchell a better sense of the importance of what the team does.
"The data they collect and feedback to the National Hurricane Center is very important information and can inform us of an accurate time to evacuate," said Mitchell.
Ragusa used several volunteers to show the different elements of a mission. Mandy Riley was surprised by what she discovered.
"I was not aware that it mainly operates out of Biloxi. You would think that it would be around the world," she said, "Nice to know that our safety is in the hands of these guys."
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