For our Season 3 opener, we begin with a very special extended episode in an interview with three women in the United States Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, MS - known to most as the Hurricane Hunters.

Lt Col Kait McLaughlin was the first female chief aerial reconnaissance weather officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. She’s currently the 403rd Operations Group Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer (or, ARWO) Standards and Evaluations Officer.

Capt. Sarah Olsen is an Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer in the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. She serves as a flight meteorologist, mission director, and National Hurricane Center liaison for aerial weather reconnaissance missions.

Capt. Amaryllis Cotto is currently a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston, and a meteorologist for the U.S. Air Force Reserves, as part of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.

Mentions during show: United States Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron - https://www.403wg.afrc.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/192529/

EPISODE SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Ventusky, a weather mapping application combining models and real-time radar and satellite data globally to provide useful visuals for a variety of weather-related needs. For more information, check out ventusky.com.

The Girls Who Chase Podcast is recorded and edited by Jen Walton. “Badlands” - our music - is by Lori Bailey and Inês Lobo. Find out all about us and more at www.girlswhochase.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky at the handle girlswhochase. See our videos & podcast media on YouTube under Girls Who Chase Storms - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8dosZVkS3PXHIO8XpjVt1g. Please support our important work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/girlswhochase