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Ransom Middle Students Get Tropical Lesson From Tate Grad Hurricane Hunter
September 14, 2019
Students at Ransom Middle School learned a lesson about hurricanes Friday from member of the Hurricane Hunters who is a Ransom and Tate High School graduate.
Maj. Christopher Dyke is n aerial reconnaissance weather officer (ARWO) in the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, better known as the “Hurricane Hunters”. For him, Friday was speaking to his former teacher Louis O’Rear’s class before flying out to the Atlantic on Saturday.
The squadron conducts primarily two types of tropical cyclone missions: low-level invests and fix missions. A low-level invest mission is flown at 500 to 1,500 feet to determine if there is a closed circulation. Once a close circulation exists, they fly at higher altitudes, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. Aircrews fly through the eye of a storm four to six times per mission to locate the low-pressure center and circulation of the storm. During these missions, the aircrews transmit the weather data by satellite to the NHC.
Dykes and his family moved to Cantonment when he was 13.
Before he became part of the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters, Dyke served as a meteorologist in the Air Force from 2005 to 2008. His first assignment was at Keesler. He reported to the Weather Officer Course, with his first month being one many on the Gulf Coast he will never forget — Hurricane Katrina.
He eventually left the base, reporting to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, where he completed his weather training and began his first permanent duty assignment.
When Dyke isn’t flying, he is also the Air Force Reserve Command interim weather career field manager. He manages the weather specialists’ career paths, and is also responsible for organizing, training and equipping weather units.
Whether he is working issues to improve the unit or flying into the world’s most powerful storms to gather life-saving data, Dyke has a passion for his profession.
Friday was not the first time Dykes as taken the time to speak at Ransom. Last year, he spoke to Mr. O’Rears class on a satellite phone from the middle of Hurricane Olivia over the Pacific Ocean.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
3 Responses to “Ransom Middle Students Get Tropical Lesson From Tate Grad Hurricane Hunter”
Thank you Mr. O for always supporting your students past and present! I love seeing our Tate graduates doing good in and giving back in their home town. Thank you Chris for being just the coolest! #proudtategraduate #proudtobearansomtiger
My son was so excited when he came home and told me all about this. Thank you. I love it when my son comes home from school all excited about what he has learned. Thank you Mr. O for all that you do!
Thank you,Mr.Dykes,for giving back your knowledge, expertise, and time to these very fortunate students..I had the pleasure of teaching across the hall from MR. O and know the love and admiration all of his students have for him