55th Weather Recon Squadron

The 55th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” was first activated during World War II in 1944 to provide crucial weather data for military operations. Initially flying out of bases such as Morrison Field, Florida, the unit conducted weather reconnaissance missions over the Atlantic, supporting both Allied flight planning and maritime operations. Over the decades, the 55th played a vital role in storm tracking, most notably flying into hurricanes to collect meteorological data that improved forecasting and saved lives. The squadron, equipped with specially modified aircraft, was inactivated in 1993, but its legacy continues through other weather reconnaissance units.