STRATEGIC PARTNERS

AHFA partners with multiple organizations who share similar missions to empower and engage youth in aviation. A complete list of our partners include:

AHFA

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Be at least 16 years old by 1 June of the flight training year.
  • Be enrolled in high school or homeschool during the flight training year.
  • Be a US citizen
  • Have no more than 5 powered flight hours 
  • 3.0 current Grade Point Average either with an unofficial GPA Transcript or a registrar/counselor verifiable memorandum.

Notes: 

  • No flight or aviation experience necessary (we teach you to fly!)  
  • No commitment or obligation to the Air Force  
  • *AFROTC Cadets may apply through their institutions
  • **Non-US Citizens regardless of residency status are ineligible to apply

 

Videos from DVIDShub.net

Hurricane Hunters - The 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
4th Combat Camera Squadron
Video by Tech. Sgt. Tommy Grimes, Tech. Sgt. Chris Hibben, Staff Sgt. Amy Picard
Dec. 29, 2018 | 3:56
Download
Crew members from the 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, share their experiences flying into hurricanes. The mission of the Hurricane Hunters is to recruit, organize and train assigned personnel to perform aerial weather reconnaissance. They provide surveillance of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the central Pacific Ocean for the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The unit also flies winter storm missions off both coasts of the United States. Interviews with Lt. Col. Deena Williams, Lt. Col. John Fox, Maj. Douglas Gautrau, and Tech Sgt. Karen Moore. Additional Footage from U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Albert Caris. (U.S. Air Force Video by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes, Staff Sgt. Amy Picard, and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hibben) More

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disastersfloodingC-130JwindsReserve Citizen AirmanReserve Citizen AirmenHurricane FlorenceweatherNOAAnatural disasters More
AFRCC 406 Day 2025
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AFRCC 406 Day 2025
Hurricane Hunters - The 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
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3:56
Hurricane Hunters - The 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
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Hurricane Hunters - The 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
Hurricane Hunters - The 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
188th UPAD Members Assist with Hurricane Relief in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.
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1:27
188th UPAD Members Assist with Hurricane Relief in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.
6th LRS fuels NOAA
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6th LRS fuels NOAA
U-2 / Terminator Line
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U-2 / Terminator Line
NOAA's Arctic Flight
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NOAA's Arctic Flight
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Resources

AHFA Locations & Training Partners

  • California Aeronautical University, CA 
  • Marion Military Institute, AL 
  • Oklahoma State University, OK  
  • South Dakota State University, SD 
  • Troy University, AL
  • Schreiner University, TX
  • University of Texas San Antonio, TX

*To learn how to become one of our training locations please email: 

 Afrs.ahfa.studentapplications@us.af.mil 

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS RECEIVE* 

  • Up to 12-15 flight hours 
  • Housing and meals during training 
  • Transportation to/from training location 
  • Classroom training (ground school) 
  • Flight simulator training 
  • All training is provided by FAA Certified Flight Instructors 
  • Access to university recreation facilities 
  • Mentorship from Air Force aviators  

*All items funded by USAF except:

  • FAA Class III Med Certificate
  • Luggage during travel
  • Personal driving to/from university assigned session

Contact us

Please direct program questions to:

Afrs.ahfa.studentapplications@us.af.mil

Disclaimer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Air Force or the Department of War, products or services contained therein. External links to non-federal websites are not endorsed by the federal government and are not subject to federal information, privacy or security standards. Some links may not be accessible on government‑issued devices.