The Lockheed WC-130 is a high-wing, medium-range aircraft used for weather reconnaissance missions by the United States Air Force. The aircraft is a modified version of the C-130 Hercules transport configured with specialized weather instrumentation including a dropsonde deployment/receiver system and crewed by a meteorologist for penetration of tropical cyclones and winter storms to obtain data on movement, size and intensity.
Lockheed WC-130
A WC-130H-LM from the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
WC-130H Hercules in flight
WC-130J on the ramp at Dobbins Air Reserve Base during Hurricane Katrina, 2005. A second WC-130J is landing in the background. The 53d WRS was displaced by severe storm damage to its base at Keesler AFB, Mississippi.
Air Force Reserve Command
The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is a major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, with its headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is the federal Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the U.S. Air Force, consisting of commissioned officers and enlisted airmen. Together, the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard constitute the Air Force element of the reserve components of the United States Armed Forces. AFRC also plays an integral role in the day-to-day Air Force mission and is not strictly a force held in reserve for possible war or contingency operations. AFRC also supports the United States Space Force through the 310th Space Wing, pending the creation of a space reserve component.
Image: MGEN Mc Intosh, Robert Alan
Image: MGEN Smith David R
Image: LGEN Sherrard, James E
Image: MGEN Batbie, John J Jr