News Bites
![NOAA Lockheed WP-3D Orion N42RF taking off from Tampa, Florida](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170119112309im_/http://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/670_wide/public/media/NOAA%20Lockheed%20WP-3D%20Orion%20N42RF%20with%202016%20livery%20on%20take%20off_NOAA%20photo%20by%20LT%20Kevin%20Doremus.jpg?itok=S0vRpvKh)
The aircraft will survey winter storms over the North Atlantic to calibrate and validate weather satellite data, improve weather forecasts.
![Scientists Megumi Oshima, Celeste Morris, and Field Party Chief Chrissy Stepongzi gather on the back deck of NOAA Ship Oregon II](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170119112309im_/http://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/670_wide/public/media/%60.jpg?itok=YF5dbLeC)
The 170-ft., Pascagoula, Mississippi-based vessel is supporting a long-term scientific survey of southeastern U.S. fisheries.
![NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow Passing Through Cape Cod Canal](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170119112309im_/http://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/670_wide/public/media/NOAA%20Ship%20Henry%20B.%20Bigelow%20passes%20through%20the%20Cape%20Cod%20Canal%20in%202016_Photo%20by%20David%20Chevrier%20NOAA-NEFSC_0.jpg?itok=WF6MwfrV)
The NOAA fisheries survey vessel met mission objectives and returned to its homeport ahead of schedule.
![NOAA Lockheed WP-3D Orion with New Livery - October 2016](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170119112309im_/http://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/670_wide/public/media/NOAA%20Lockheed%20WP-3D%20Orion%20N42RF%20on%2018%20October%202016%20following%20a%20major%20overhaul%20and%20upgrades_NOAA%20photo%20by%20Mike%20Mascaro.jpg?itok=I7Vdm89K)
A tried-and-true NOAA Lockheed WP-3D "hurricane hunter" has received upgrades that make it even more robust and capable.
![NOAA68 Surveys the Aftermath of Hurricane Matthew](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170119112309im_/http://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/670_wide/public/media/King%20Air%20flys%20for%20FEMA.jpg?itok=r9zFTbgM)
As Hurricane Matthew moved along Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, NOAA aviation and marine assets worked around-the-clock to support storm forecasts and response efforts.
![NOAA G-IV Aircraft Studying Hurricane Matthew](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170119112309im_/http://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/670_wide/public/media/G-IV%20studying%20Hurricane%20Matthew.jpg?itok=DdrrlFPB)
The NOAA Hurricane Hunters and NASA Global Hawk are flying hurricane survey missions today to gather vital data on Hurricane Matthew.
![NOAA Ship Hi'ialakai in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170119112309im_/http://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/670_wide/public/media/dsc04164.jpg?itok=6tbxzhAw)
NOAA Ship Hi'ialakai has just returned to port from a 33-day mission to the French Frigate Shoals, the largest atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
On Sept. 22, scientist Frank Marks and hurricane hunter pilot Cmdr. Justin Kibbey from NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory answered questions about hurricane hunting.
![NOAA Ship Rainier at anchor in Alaska's Uginak Bay](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170119112309im_/http://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/670_wide/public/media/NOAA%20Ship%20Rainier%20at%20anchor%20in%20Alaska%27s%20Uginak%20Bay_Photo%20by%20Ensign%20Dylan%20Kosten.jpg?itok=ACpG5FQ-)
NOAA Ship Rainier recently arrived in Uganik Bay, off of northwest Kodiak Island, to complete hydrographic survey operations in Uganik Passage and Uganik Bay.
![Researchers unfurl a trawl net aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170119112309im_/http://www.omao.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/670_wide/public/media/Researchers%20unfurl%20a%20trawl%20net%20aboard%20NOAA%20Ship%20Oscar%20Elton%20Sette_Photo%20courtesy%20NOAA%20PIFSC.jpg?itok=cUpRTodC)
NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette embarked on Sept. 6 on a scientific expedition to the west coast of Hawaii Island to study the marine ecosystem.