‘Hurricane Hunters’ Forced to Turn Around While Flying Through Melissa

Aircraft will be checked for damage after hitting heavy turbulence.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 03:48 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Inside the eye of Hurricane Melissa [Credit: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force Reserve’s "Hurricane Hunters" encountered severe, "stronger than normal" turbulence while entering the eye of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, forcing them to turn back for aircraft inspection.
Hurricane Melissa is the strongest tropical cyclone of 2025 to date, making one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic with estimated maximum sustained wind speeds of 185 mph.
The storm caused significant damage in Jamaica, including ripped roofs and power outages, and poses an extremely dangerous threat to eastern Cuba, Haiti, and parts of the Bahamas.

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The U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron—nicknamed the “Hurricane Hunters”—hit heavy turbulence while flying through Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday and was forced to turn back.

In a statement, the 403rd Wing said one of the Hurricane Hunters’ aircraft was subjected to forces “stronger than normal” while entering the eye of the Category 5 storm. The crew flew back to its forward operating location in Curaçao, where the aircraft will be inspected for possible damage.