As NOAA celebrates the 50th anniversary of its two P-3 aircraft, N42RF “Kermit” and N43RF “Miss Piggy,” we reflect on five decades of service.
Since their first missions, the Lockheed WP-3D Orions have supported the advancement of severe-storm and environmental research that helps save lives and protect property. Their impact reflects the strength of proven aircraft and the dedicated crews who fly, maintain, and support them. We honor the many crew members, past and present, who accepted significant risk in service to the American public.
Check back here to explore stories celebrating the people, planes, and stewardship that have made the WP-3Ds an enduring part of NOAA’s mission and follow us on our social media channels using #50YearsofNOAAP3.
Letter from Leadership for the NOAA P-3 50th Anniversary
For 50 golden years, NOAA’s legendary Lockheed WP-3D Orion Hurricane Hunters have served ably and reliably as high-flying meteorological stations and science laboratories.
The two Hurricane Hunter planes, which many know as “Kermit” (N42RF) and “Miss Piggy” (N43RF), are famous the world over for daring to fly into some of the most treacherous weather conditions in the world. The people who’ve flown and crewed these planes — NOAA Commissioned Corps officers, civil servants and associated scientists alike — aren’t daredevils. They fly as safely as possible, and their heroics are well-known. The people who have maintained the two aircraft over five decades have done amazing work, keeping them like-new and ready for when the nation calls.
Since the two airframes rolled off Lockheed’s line in Burbank, California, they’ve made and recorded history. Their logbooks read like a hall of fame of legends, both storms and people. The two P-3s are the best tools available to advance severe-storm research, as well as other environmental research that protects the nation’s natural assets and communities that depend on them.
This year, we celebrate the planes and the many people who’ve worked around the clock for five decades, whether they piloted, directed, collected data, repaired, maintained or otherwise advanced NOAA’s science in the service of the nation.
Throughout the year, we’ll herald and honor these two aircraft and the people who have been part of their history, telling stories, sharing memorable pictures and videos, and showing off the aircraft themselves. On social media, just look for #50yearsofNOAAP3.
Join us on this memorable ride through five decades of science, service and stewardship.
Capt. Nathan Kahn, NOAA Corps
Commanding Officer, NOAA Aircraft Operations Center
Watch Fifty Years of the NOAA P-3s in Action
Take a look back at the incredible journey and missions of the NOAA P-3s, from the 1970s to today.
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