[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 109 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2235-S2236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA:
  S. 2203. A bill to require the conduct of winter season 
reconnaissance of atmospheric rivers on the West Coast of the United 
States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the Atmospheric 
Rivers Reconissance, Observation and Warning Act or ARROW Act. This 
legislation will support critical atmospheric river reconnaissance 
missions to improve forecasting for water managers across the west 
coast.
  Atmospheric rivers produce between 40 to 65 percent of annual 
precipitation along the U.S. west coast but cause an estimated 90 
percent or more of flood damage. These extreme storm events are the 
primary driver of drought and major flooding events impacting the 
entire western region, which is why the Federal Government alongside 
researchers and water managers support a growing Federal investment 
into atmospheric river reconnaissance research missions to help improve 
AR forecasting.
  The Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also 
known as Hurricane Hunters, fly specially equipped aircraft directly 
into the eye of a storm between 8,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level 
to collect valuable, real-time data that allows water managers, 
disaster responders, researchers, and meteorologists to better predict 
the impact of storm events such as ARs, hurricanes, and tropical 
cyclones.
  The ARROW Act would formalize ongoing AR reconnaissance efforts led 
by the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, which, 
in consultation with NOAA, provide aircraft, personnel, and equipment 
to meet the AR mission requirements during the winter season in the 
west coast, from November through March.
  The bill would direct the Air Force to work with NOAA to improve the 
accuracy and timeliness of west coast AR forecasts and warning 
services; support water management decisions and flood forecasting; and 
participate in the Research and Operations Partnership, which guides 
flight planning, to improve and expand the capabilities and 
effectiveness of AR Recon into the future.
  The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is the only Department of 
Defense organization still flying into tropical storms and hurricanes 
and is a critical component of the U.S. weather forecasting apparatus.
  Since fiscal year 2020, Congress has directed the 53rd to prioritize 
atmospheric river reconnaissance in its National Winter Storms 
Operations Plan. However, without formal authorization, growing AR 
recon research will go unmet, leaving civil authorities and military 
decision makers without key forecasting data to predict and respond

[[Page S2236]]

to AR landfall and to more effectively manage water supplies in an 
increasingly variable climate.
  That is why we need to pass the ARROW Act, to formalize the role of 
the Air Force Reserve's Weather Reconnaissance Squadron as a critical 
part of the U.S. storm forecasting and response infrastructure.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the ARROW Act as 
quickly as possible.

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