‘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" aircraft encountered severe turbulence and "stronger than normal" forces while entering Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, forcing them to turn back for inspection.
Hurricane Melissa is the strongest tropical cyclone of 2025, making a record-breaking powerful landfall in Jamaica with 185 mph winds and causing extensive damage and life-threatening conditions.

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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.