"You're doing everything you are told not to do. You're flying into a severe thunderstorm, and there's lightning all over the place," Mitchell said.
It's a job that's not without danger, but it's one that makes a difference.
"Knowing that the information I'm collecting is going to improve the forecast as to what kind of severe storms are headed their way ... to know that we are making a difference and that the people who need to evacuate are evacuating, and the people who don't can go on about their day," Mitchell said.
These P-3 Orion aircraft are outfitted with the latest radar technology, both on the belly and in the tail. Along with instruments dropped into the storm called radiosondes, all of these tools give forecasters real-time information as to where a storm is headed.
The director of the National Weather Service is Ken Graham. He says the job these Hurricane Hunters do is nothing short of heroic.
"Heroes. Honestly. They go toward the storm so we can get people away from the storm. It's just as simple as that," Graham said.
The crew disagrees. For them, it's the job they signed up for. A job that can create magnificent moments...
"The best part is when you start flying at night, and you get the sunrise," Mitchell said. "You're flying all night and getting your butt kicked, and then you see the sunrise and everything turns pink and purple, and it's one of the most beautiful sights you see."
The information that Mitchell and his crew send back is a beautiful sight to see for all of the hurricane forecasters they serve. Without their hard work, we would be flying blind as the next storm bears down on the Carolina coastline.
Stay on top of breaking weather and news stories with the ABC11 News App