Hurricane hunting flights may be cut by sequestration

NPR : The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Air Force Reserve both operate fleets of modified C-130 transport aircraft to study severe weather systems such as hurricanes. The airplanes, equipped with a variety of atmospheric monitoring devices, fly into hurricanes to provide direct readings of the strength of the storms. However, spending cuts put into place by the sequestration budget deal may prevent the Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron from providing full coverage of multiple storms. Colonel Craig La Fave says that because of mandatory furloughs, the squadron must juggle work schedules and will be able to cover only a single hurricane at a time. NOAA is not subject to the same furloughs as the Air Force Reserve, however.