“Hurricane Hunting - How and Why the USAF Does It”

This is a Virtual Club Meeting.  CLICK HERE to Register.

Jeff Ragusa retired this year from the US Air Force after 34 years of military service.  He spent his entire career actively flying and accumulated over 6500 hours of military flight time.  

His primary aircraft included the T-43 navigator trainer as an instructor pilot, the T-38 supersonic jet trainer as an evaluator pilot, and several variants of the C-130 airlifter as an evaluator pilot.  He also has 11 years of airline experience as both a first officer and captain on Boeing-737 aircraft.  As a C-130 combat pilot, Lt Col Ragusa has flown in Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel.  

His final assignment was as a full-time USAF Reserve Officer in the 403rd Wing at Keesler AFB, MS where he served as the Chief Pilot for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also known as the "Hurricane Hunters”.  As a Hurricane Hunter, Lt Col Ragusa amassed over 110 hurricane eye wall penetrations providing life-saving data to the National Hurricane Center during the 2002 and 2006-2019 storm seasons.  

In retirement, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Susan, children, and grandchildren while still flying small civilian airplanes as an FAA Certified Instructor Pilot.