A trip to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland + the biggest set of skis I’ve ever worn.
We packed up the Mini-van, that for some reason thought was okay to treat like a moving truck. It was loaded to the tippy top with a gaggle fellas and a bunch of gear. We set our noses toward New York to a place called the 109th Scotia Air National Guard base. The 109th is made up of some incredibly talented airman and houses one heck of an aircraft. The ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft is able to land on snow and ice thus earning the sole title of the only one of its kind in the U.S. Military. Now that we are on base, we were met by some very determined airmen, they didn’t even scoff at the amount of gear we had (because they had more) but instead they swiftly loaded us up a nice size pallet to insure our gear was as comfortable as it could be. *tip - if you ever have a chance to fly on any sort of military aircraft and witness the dedication the individuals put forth to lift that heavy off the ground… do it. No need to send me a thank you note, just do it.
Now we are off and in the air, the pleasant hum of the props put some to sleep and put others teetering insanity. I was right in the middle of those emotions. The marvel of flight is still strong even after so many flights.
After a semi-lengthy flight - It was certainly refreshing to breathe in that crisp cool air Greenland had to offer while simultaneously being punched in the face with the awe inspiring, beautiful landscape. Daylight that is continuous and a sun that slightly dances around the horizon at times is a photographer’s dream. Side note…is continuous daylight the cure for insomnia? Luckily I don’t suffer from chronic insomnia. Sleeping quarters where very much like a large lego shaped train car with minimal windows to keep the light out - Nice “dark room” if it were 20yrs ago and I was developing film.
Myself and the crew spent days documented the airmen doing what they do best. Again, you wouldn’t be able to find a negative attribute about any. And after some spouts of bad weather with a few windows of opportunity the flight crew decided it is “Go-time” to head to Camp Raven - Camp Raven is an ice runway in the Arctic Circle - Manned and WOmanned by only 2 people. Husband and Wife! Cool gig if you ask me - as long as John Carpenter has nothing to do with your life’s script. We landed graciously on that icy runway. I’m no scientist but the horizon was curved for all you flat earth peeps. The aircraft dropped us off and we began to work our way around the landscape via snowmobiles and by boot. During this time the LC-130 took off again, this time leaving us behind for the time being. And whoa does being out in the middle of nowhere really feel interesting. We spent a few hours out there capturing as much as we could - including a great fly over.
If you have a chance to step foot on some ancient ice… go to a little town with a difficult yet fun-to-say name. You will not be disappointed.
Let me end by telling you that this is what I would consider to be an extreme privilege. A remarkable mission, carried out by remarkable individuals.
Cheers,
Jon A.