Initial research flights started in 1980 and 1981 in the vicinity of the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma. The majority of the research flights were later flown in the vicinity of NASA Langley and the NASA  Wallops Island Flight Facility. NASA 816 made 195 Storm Hazards research flights, made 1496 thunderstorm penetrations, and experienced 714 direct lightning strikes.

Information and photo from the souvenir booklet issued by the NASA Langley Research Center in conjunction with the retirement of NASA 816 on 17 May 1991.

For an excellent article published in the SCIENCE DIGEST magazine, dated Feb 1986, called "The Lightning Hunters", written by Patrick Huyghe, click here. Mr. Huyghe is a science writer in residence at Virginia Institute in Blacksburg.