U.S. Air Force photo Staff Sergeant Heather Heiney, 24AUG2017.

Video explainer of what a storm tracking dropsonde is:

Loading a dropsonde cannon. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Heather Heiney, 24AUG2017.

In May, the USAF 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron ‘Hurricane Hunters’ took part in the 2017 Hurricane Awareness Tour, which was meant to increase the public’s awareness of hurricane threats.

USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Ryan Labadens, 08MAY2017.

More video & pics: WC-130J SUPER HERCULES TRACKS HURRICANE HARVEY