Pair Flew A Gulfstream IV Jet In Support Of Forecasts For Hurricane Hector

A recent flight by a NOAA Gulfstream IV Hurricane Hunter aircraft to Hawaii is thought to be the first by the agency to be flown by an all-female crew, the agency reported on Facebook.

"On Aug. 5, 2018, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) deployed its Gulfstream IV "hurricane hunter" jet to Hawaii to support Hurricane #Hector forecasts," the post states. "The Aug. 5 flight was, we believe, the first “hurricane hunting" mission piloted by an all-women pilot and co-pilot team. Pictured here with the jet (#NOAA49, aka "Gonzo") are NOAA Corps pilots Capt. Kristie Twining and Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca Waddington. The aircraft and crew are based at the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, FL.

Waddington told CNN that while the history-making flight is a reason for pride by the crew, "we are more proud of the mission we are doing and the safety we are providing for people." She has been a NOAA pilot for eight years.

During the eight-hour flight, Waddington and Twining flew near the category 4 storm, gathering data on wind speed, temperature, atmosphere pressure and humidity to produce an accurate forecast for the path and strength of the storm. But Waddington said it was a mission just like any other.

But she did say that she hopes the story of the flight will inspire young women "to show them what is possible and what they can do."

(Images from NOAA via Facebook)

FMI: www.noaa.gov