Hurricane Sandy

A WC-130J Hercules loadmaster Chief Master Sgt. Rick Cumbo, from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, prepares a drop sonde used to measure and transfer weather data back to the aircraft while flying on a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Sandy Oct. 29, 2012, somewhere over the Eastern coastline. The drop sonde is ejected into the storm from the WC-130J using a specialized launcher, which then transmits real-time weather information back to the aircraft. The 53rd WRS conducted weather reconnaissance missions in preparation for Hurricane Sandy making landfall along the Eastern coastline of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

Hurricane Sandy

A WC-130J Hercules, from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, flies into Hurricane Sandy Oct. 29, 2012 somewhere over the Eastern coastline of the U.S. The 53rd WRS conducted weather reconnaissance missions in preparation for Hurricane Sandy making landfall along the Eastern coastline of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

Hurricane Sandy

Tech. Sgt Chris Becyar, from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, conducts a pre-flight inspection on a WC-130J Hercules in preparation for a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Sandy Oct. 29, 2012, at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. The 53rd WRS conducted weather reconnaissance missions in preparation for Hurricane Sandy making landfall along the Eastern coastline of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

Hurricane Sandy

A WC-130J Hercules crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron walk to their aircraft for a weather reconnaissance mission into Hurricane Sandy Oct. 29, 2012, at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. The 53rd WRS conducted weather reconnaissance missions in preparation for Hurricane Sandy making landfall along the Eastern coastline of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

2012 General Jerome F. O’Malley and Diane O’Malley Award

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presents the 2012 General Jerome F. O'Malley and Diane O'Malley Award to Col. Michael Minihan and his wife, Ashley, during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Oct. 24, 2012. The Minihans earned the award for their time in command at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The annual award recognizes the wing commander and spouse team whose contributions to the nation, Air Force, and local community best exemplify the highest ideals and positive leadership of a military couple in a key Air Force position. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael J. Pausic)

2012 General Jerome F. O’Malley and Diane O’Malley Award

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III delivers remarks for the presentation of the 2012 General Jerome F. O'Malley and Diane O'Malley Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Oct. 24, 2012. Col. Michael Minihan and his wife, Ashley, earned the award for their time in command at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The annual award recognizes the wing commander and spouse team whose contributions to the nation, Air Force, and local community best exemplify the highest ideals and positive leadership of a military couple in a key Air Force position. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael J. Pausic)