Title: Research on Oceanographic Processes in Tropical Cyclones (TROPIC)
Host Organization/location: Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi
USNA POC: CDR Beth Sanabia
Academic or Leadership internship
Required Credentials: Rising 1/C. Targeted to Oceanography majors, but also open to Ocean
Engineering, and Computer Science Majors. Recommended that Oceanography majors will have taken
either synoptic or tropical meteorology. Agreement to conduct Honors or Capstone Research Project
using data collected during TROPIC in one of the following areas: tropical oceanography, tropical
meteorology, oceanographic systems engineering (i.e. AXBT system improvement), or oceanographic
data processing (i.e. AXBT data processing improvement).
Security Clearance: secret clearance required
Block 3 only
US Citizens only
Description: In TROPIC summer training, midshipmen will launch AXBTs from USAF 53 rd WRS WC-130Js
in tropical cyclones over the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and eastern Pacific Ocean in support of a
forecast demonstration project. On days when there are no flights, midshipmen will process the data
collected from previous flights and stage gear for upcoming flights. Once flight preparations are
complete, midshipmen will visit the numerous USAF and USN operational and research facilities in the
Keesler / Gulfport / Stennis area to include the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron; Naval
Oceanographic Office (NAVO); Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; Center for
Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, and METOC Professional Development Center. Midshipmen
involved in TROPIC will collect oceanographic and meteorological data during their flights with the 53 rd
WRS during the summer training portion of the program, and will then utilize that data for a research
project during the following academic year (either Honors or Capstone research).