Mission synopsis: 06 Sept 2010
NOAA/IFEX:
P3/GIV: There are currently no operational or research taskings for the NOAA P-3s and G-IV. Extended: NOAA will continue to watch Gaston and if it becomes a viable target for operations based from Tampa. NOAA is also watching Hermine in the Gulf, but any missions would involve long ferries – therefore flights into this system are highly unlikely.
NASA/GRIP:
DC8: The DC-8 arrived in St. Croix last night and will be operating out of the Virgin Islands today and tomorrow. The aircraft will take off at 18 UTC today (6 September) and will be flying an 8-hour mission into Gaston, recovering to St. Croix. Tomorrow (7 September), the DC8 will fly another mission into Gaston (take off 1900 UTC) returning to Fort Lauderdale. Coordination with PREDICT is planned for both missions. Wednesday, 8 September, will be a tentative no fly day followed by additional flights into Gaston on Thursday (9/9) and Friday (9/10).
Global Hawk: The install of the GPS dropsonde system remains a high priority and a test flight at Dryden is currently scheduled for Friday (10 Sep).
WB-57: The WB-57 continues to be down for repairs.
NSF/PREDICT:
GV: PREDICT completed Research Flight 12 into the remnants of Gaston (PGI38L) (take-off 11 UTC / 8 hr duration). This mission included a low-level module. On Tuesday 7 September, the GV will fly into Gaston east of St. Croix with a 1230 UTC take-off (6 hour duration). PREDICT may recover to Barbados based on local wind conditions in St. Croix. Another flight into Gaston is scheduled for Wednesday 8 September, recovering back to St. Croix.
AIR FORCE:
The AF is currently tasked for Hermine: 9/7/2010 06/12 UTC
Gaston: 6 hourly fixes starting 9/7/2010 06UTC through 9/9/2010 12 UTC.