Bloggers take to skies Published May 27, 2009 By 2nd Lt. Joe Simms 403rdWing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A 403rd Wing "Hurricane Hunters" aircraft hosted the Air Force's first-ever blogger flight May 19 to give bloggers from across the country an opportunity only available to traditional media outlets until now. TheAir Force is embracing new media to continue communicating in today's world. According to a Pentagon survey, 94 percent of people born after 1990 actively either blog or use social networking, such as Facebook, and new media ranks second behind television on how people receive information. "Social networking and blogging is not the communication of the future, but of today," said Brig. Gen. James Muscatell, 403rd Wing commander. "This is the way current generations communicate, and the Air Force and Air Force Reserve need to keep up with how technology is evolving and making communication faster and easier." Members from the national blogging community and traditional media joined the Hurricane Hunters aboard a WC-130J on a training mission over the Gulf of Mexico from Keesler to New Orleans while the flight crew simulated challenges they face when collecting data in a hurricane. The event gave a new audience a better understanding of how the Hurricane Hunters collect life-saving data inside storms and highlighted the coming hurricane season. "It was neat to be in the cabin with the pilot," said Tiffany Bryam, co-owner of Minute Magazine, whose primary readership in Louisiana is affected by hurricanes. "It made me feel like a pilot." Ms. Byram and co-owner Jackie Lewis recently began offering their newest issues of the magazine in an e-format. They plan to feature their experience in the August issue. "You hear about these guys on theWeather Channel and on TV all the time, but you never really think about the guys who actually do the job," said Ms. Lewis. "It was mesmerizing to really be there flying with them." News about the 403rd Wing is available via Facebook groups listed under "403rdWing," "AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters," "AF Reserve 815th Flying Jennies," "403rdWing Spouses" and "41stAerial Port Squadron." Full-resolution photos can be found under the "Hurricane Hunters," "403rd Wing" and the "Flying Jennies" groups at http://www.flickr.com. Aprofile of the 403rdWing is found at http://www.Linkedin.com., and people can follow them at http://www.twitter.com under the username "403pa."