US: US Hurricane Hunters deploy ocean buoys ahead of Hurricane Lowell.

RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “53RD WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON / US AIR FORCE RESERVE” HANDOUT — EDITORIAL USE ONLY — SHOTLIST: US (SEPT. 8, 2026) (53RD WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON - RESTRICTED) 1. CREW MEMBER RELEASING OCEAN BUOY FROM AIRCRAFT (TWO SHOTS) US - SEPT. 8 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “53RD WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON / US AIR FORCE RESERVE” HANDOUT — EDITORIAL USE ONLY — US Air Force Hurricane Hunters and the Naval Oceanography Command deployed ocean buoys ahead of Hurricane Lowell to collect data on conditions in the storm’s path. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” said the mission was conducted in support of the US Navy Research Laboratory’s SASCWATCH project. Footage shared by the squadron showed crew members releasing the buoys from an aircraft over the ocean as the hurricane approached. The instruments are designed to track changing ocean conditions, including winds, waves, pressure and surface temperature. Data gathered by the buoys helps researchers examine how hurricane-force winds and waves affect the ocean and how ocean conditions can influence a storm’s intensity.