Aircraft Reconnaissance
Plan of the Day
Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of America Reconnaissance
- RECCO Observations (non-tropical cyclone)
- RECCO Observations (tropical cyclone)
- High-Density Observations (USAF)
- High-Density Observations (NOAA)
- Vortex Data Message
- Dropsonde Observations
Eastern Pacific Reconnaissance
- RECCO Observations (non-tropical cyclone)
- RECCO Observations (tropical cyclone)
- High-Density Observations (USAF)
- High-Density Observations (NOAA)
- Vortex Data Message
- Dropsonde Observations
How to Read the Reconnaissance Data
The National Hurricane Operations Plan explains aircraft reconnaisance data.
- Chapter 5 is devoted entirely to the reconnaissance aircraft data missions.
- Appendix G explains the message formats and data codes.
Hurricane Reconnaissance Organizations (The Hurricane Hunters)
53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
403rd Wing, Air Force Reserve Command
Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi
The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve, is the only Department of Defense organization still flying into tropical storms and hurricanes – since 1944. The ten Lockheed-Martin WC-130J aircraft and crews are part of the 403rd Wing, based at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.
NOAA Aircraft Operations Center
Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida
The NOAA Aircraft Operations Center is part of NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. The airplanes of the Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) are flown in support of NOAA's mission to promote global environmental assessment, prediction and stewardship of the Earth's environment. NOAA's aircraft operate throughout the United States and around the world; over open oceans, mountains, coastal wetlands, and Arctic pack ice. These versatile aircraft provide scientists with airborne platforms necessary to collect the environmental and geographic data essential to their research.