#LC130

[bongreviewbd]

LC-130 Skibird: The Ultimate Aircraft for Arctic and Antarctic Missions

The LC-130 Skibird is a state-of-the-art aircraft specifically designed to operate in extreme Arctic and Antarctic conditions. It is a modified version of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, tailored with unique features such as ski-equipped landing gear and Jet-Assisted Takeoff (JATO) rockets. These adaptations make the LC-130 essential for various research and military missions in some of the most challenging environments on Earth.

Features of the LC-130

Ski-Equipped Landing Gear The LC-130 features retractable "wheelski" landing gear, allowing it to seamlessly transition between traditional runways and snow- or ice-covered terrain. This capability is critical for safe landings in polar regions where conventional runways are unavailable.

Jet-Assisted Takeoff Rockets (JATO) The aircraft is equipped with JATO rockets attached to its sides, which provide an extra thrust during takeoff. This is especially helpful on short or snow-packed runways, where achieving optimal speed can be challenging.

Cold-Weather Adaptations

Enhanced thermal insulation to withstand extreme cold.

Reinforced glass windows to retain heat.

Auxiliary Power Units (APU) to maintain functionality even when engines are off.

Contributions to Research and Military Operations

Scientific Research Support The LC-130 is pivotal in supplying essential equipment, food, and personnel to scientists working in remote locations, such as Antarctica’s McMurdo Station. It plays a significant role in facilitating climate and geological research in areas otherwise inaccessible.

Military Missions The LC-130 supports military operations by delivering radar installations, provisions, and personnel to high-Arctic regions. Its reliability and adaptability make it a trusted asset for missions in challenging conditions.

Performance in Extreme Conditions

The LC-130 is capable of landing on snow-covered runways and operating under severe weather conditions. In 2020 alone, it conducted over 200 missions, transporting more than 2,000 people and 1.5 million tons of cargo across polar terrains, showcasing its efficiency and dependability.

Future Upgrades and Development

Efforts to enhance the LC-130's capabilities include new propeller systems, upgraded cockpits, and advanced satellite communication technology. These improvements aim to ensure the aircraft remains a leader in polar aviation.

Conclusion

Aircraft like the LC-130 Skibird are indispensable for scientific exploration, military operations, and logistical support in the most extreme environments. It stands as a testament to human innovation, demonstrating how technology can overcome nature’s toughest challenges.

Watch More: The Unexpected Jobs of Serial Killers: Shocking Realities

Tags: #LC130, #স্কিবার্ড, #পোলারমিশন, #জেটঅ্যাসিস্টেডটেকঅফ, #তুষারপ্লেন, #আর্কটিকপ্লেন, #অ্যান্টার্কটিকপ্লেন, #গবেষণাপ্লেন, #সামরিকপ্লেন, #এয়ারক্রাফ্ট #LC130, #Skibird, #PolarMissions, #JetAssistedTakeoff, #SnowPlane, #ArcticPlane, #AntarcticPlane, #ResearchPlane, #MilitaryPlane, #Aircraft

LC130, স্কিবার্ড, পোলারমিশন, জেটঅ্যাসিস্টেডটেকঅফ, তুষারপ্লেন, আর্কটিকপ্লেন, অ্যান্টার্কটিকপ্লেন, গবেষণাপ্লেন, সামরিকপ্লেন, এয়ারক্রাফ্ট, LC130, Skibird, PolarMissions, JetAssistedTakeoff, SnowPlane, ArcticPlane, AntarcticPlane, ResearchPlane, MilitaryPlane, Aircraft

[watchourluxembourg]

Diamond Monday ! Shiny way to start the week : Rolex Date 115234. White gold bezel, white dial with white gold indexes and diamonds ! #rolex #rolexdate #115234 #rolex115234 #rolexdiamond #rolexdiamonds #rolexdatejust #rolexwhite #rolexwhitegold #rolexoysterperpetual #rolexoyster #lccode #lc130 #lux #luxembourg #letzebuerg #lëtzebuerg #letzebuergesch #watch #watchporn #watchaddict #watchaddicts (à Watchour) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8GztLcHwHO/?igshid=14z5bj8zjmbdi

[jonalderman]

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.

[stonesquaredproductions]

Sometimes, especially on Mondays, you don't want to go to work. Fortunately on weather days like this one, no one flies anywhere!!! ❄️ ☃ ❄️ ☃Link to my website in bio❄️ ☃ ❄️ ☃ #mcmurdostation #antarctica #lc130 #usaf #airnationalguard #Nikon #D610 #nature #natureza #naturephotography #landscape #optoutside #amazing_travelpix #landscapes #speechlesstravels #landscapelovers #scenery #wanderlust #keepitwild #photooftheday #choosemountains #stayandwander #thegreatoutdoors #TRAV3LR #earthisunique #letsgosomewhere #liveauthentic #nature_brothers #globetreader ❄️ (at Williams Field)

[tovayinuco-blog]

7 Best LED Flashlights of 2019

While headlamps are becoming more and more popular as time goes, folks are still purchasing flashlights in almost record numbers – taking advantage of advanced LED technology to guarantee that they aren’t ever left alone in the dark.

Thankfully, LED flashlights excel in terms of size, longevity, and overall brightness, serving as the perfect companion for hitting the trail or exploring the darkest corners of your basement. The question now is, what is the best flashlight for you? Read our guide and let us recommend the best models on the market right now.

7 Best LED Flashlights of 2019 (And Why They Are Worth Buying!)

                        While headlamps are becoming more and more popular as time goes, folks are still purchasing flashlights in almost record numbers – taking advantage of advanced LED technology to guarantee that they aren’t ever left alone in the dark.

Thankfully, LED flashlights excel in terms of size, longevity, and overall brightness, serving as the perfect companion for hitting the trail or exploring the darkest corners of your basement. The question now is, what is the best flashlight for you? Read our guide and let us recommend the best models on the market right now.

Click Here To Check Out The Best LED Flashlight on Amazon!

Things To Consider Before Buying

• Purpose – You may need a flashlight for hunting or search and rescue operations. Such purposes require a model capable of facilitating long range vision. You would need a bright flashlight, typically with a luminosity of over 1000 lumens. If you need a flashlight for hiking, camping, sailing, fishing or other recreational purposes, then you can choose one with a capacity of anywhere between 300 to 1000 lumens. For ordinary use around the household, say in the attic or the shed, in the garage or for short range vision in your backyard or lawn, a model with 100 to 300 lumens will suffice.

• Price – Any flashlight that isn’t at least $50 probably doesn’t have the best construction materials or engineering going on behind the scenes. Sure, a cheaper flashlight can work in a pinch and may be okay for household tasks, but expect to spend at least $100 on a real quality piece of technology.

Best Flashlight – Our Top Picks

There are lots of models available on the market, so you can choose the one you like. On the other side, some are better than the others. Today, we’re going to talk about seven options which really hit the target with consumers. Each one is affordable and comes from a trusted manufacturer.

1. Streamlight 74751 Strion

This is the best flashlight on our list. Relatively compact and made out of high-end construction materials, including aircraft grade aluminum that has been anodized with a rugged grip surfacing material, the Streamlight Strion is one of the brightest compact flashlights money can buy – and isn’t going to shatter your bank account along the way, either.

Taking advantage of C4 LED technology, this model is impervious to shock related damage. The head has an anti-roll mechanism, which prevents the flashlight from rolling away when you put it down. The IPX4 water-resistant rating means it is waterproof up to two meters. It also comes with a clamp style charger holder with a digital control circuit that prevents overcharge.

Offering a 50,000 hour lifetime on the LED bulbs system, you’ll be able to depend on a variable torch setting that can produce 500, 250, or 125 lumens of light. This allows you to have complete control over the brightness while also extending the lifetime of your battery while it is in operation.

Click Here to Check Out The Streamlight Strion on Amazon!

2. SureFire P2X Fury Tactical

SureFire is legendary for producing some of the very best flashlights for the US military, particularly its special forces across all branches of service. When you are the official flashlight supplier for folks like the Navy SEALs or the Marine Force Recon groups, you know you are doing something right!

The P2X Fury Tactical is one of the most popular products from the company. This tiny handy and compact flashlight is perfect for everyday use, survival situations, as well as law enforcement use. It comes with a precision micro-textured reflector that houses a high-efficiency LED. The beam is smooth, far-reaching, and wide for illuminating peripheral areas.

The build quality is top-notch and second to none, making it one of the most indestructible flashlights on the market. You can also use it as a personal defense mechanism, as the 600 lumens brightness will temporarily blind an attacker and provide you plenty of opportunity to escape before they recover.

Click Here to Check Out The SureFire P2X Fury Tactical on Amazon!

3. Fenix PD35 TAC

This impressive LED flashlight from Fenix produces a maximum 1000 lumens of clear intense light. One key selling point is that it’s sized to fit into a pocket, while still delivering high performance. It is less than 5.5 inch in length, but offers the same lumen output as bigger, longer flashlights. Its beam distance is up to 650 feet.

It features a tail switch which offers a “momentarily on” setting. When it is set to its “outdoor mode”, there will be a group of six subcategories of output modes. In the “tactical mode” setting, flashlight performance will be stronger, simpler and faster.

It can use a single rechargeable lithium ion battery or two lithium-ion batteries for extended usage, giving you the opportunity to run it for a considerably longer amount of time than more traditional options available on the market.

Click Here to Check Out The Fenix PD35 TAC on Amazon!

4. Anker LC130

If maximum light output is what you are after, this particular option from Anker is going to be right up your alley. Capable of producing 1300 lumens at its highest setting (of which there are five different settings), you are going to be able to control not only the brightness of this LED flashlight but also the shape and the width of the light beam that you are producing as well.

On top of that, the lithium-ion battery (5000 mAh rechargeable) allows you to run this flashlight six hours nonstop with non-diminishing brightness along the way. You’ll be able to use it for more than 50,000 hours before the LED starts to dim. It takes eight hours to charge it fully. You’ll need to buy a 1A adapter. The flashlight does come with a USB-style cable.

Click Here to Check Out The Anker LC130 on Amazon!

5. Klarus XT11GT

Another great option, this ultra compact, ridiculously lightweight, and stunningly bright flashlight can push out to a maximum output of 2000 lumens when it is flipped to its “high” setting. Obviously, the battery is going to run down faster, but you should still be able to anticipate getting nearly a full hour of usage out of this extreme light output thanks to the lithium-ion rechargeable battery that comes with it.

The Klarus XT11GT features a trio of operating settings: outdoor, tactical and advanced tactical. You can choose between the three unique modes depending on whatever situation you’re preparing for. It’s also extremely easy to charge up.

When you order this model, you’ll receive a super bundle which includes a charging cable (USB type), an extra o-ring, a lanyard, a battery (18650 rechargeable), a car charger, a holster, a pocket clip, a mini USB light and a wall adapter. Waterproof, shockproof, and nearly indestructible, it has to be considered one of the best flashlights available on the market.

Click Here to Check Out The Klarus XT11GT on Amazon!

6. ThruNite MINI TN30

This is the most compact of all the flashlights on our list, while at the same time producing a floodlight beam capable of putting out 3660 lumens when it is adjusted to its maximum setting.

The ThruNite MINI TN30 takes advantage of rechargeable lithium ion batteries to provide extended utility and usage, and while these batteries will take a little bit longer to recharge they are still a lot less expensive to use than the disposable ones.

The “orange peel” reflector material guarantees that the light diffused is always done so uniformly, providing you with an extremely wide beam so that you can survey a dark space in its entirety with just a glance.

An advanced electronic metal switch mechanism and low-voltage indication provides you with near silent operation, steady and consistent LED output, and long-term usage that can last for at least 50,000 hours before the LED system begins to decay.

Click Here to Check Out The ThruNite MINI TN30 on Amazon!

7. Maglite ML300L 6-Cell

Perhaps one of the most trusted brand names in the world of flashlights today, it should come as no surprise to anyone that a Maglite would find its way on our list.

The ML300L is the current version of the “gold standard” Maglite, the kind of flashlight that most people associate with first responders, police officers, security guards, and those that want an incredibly powerful LED flashlight that can also do double duty as a personal defense tool as well.

Heavy, rock solid as far as construction is concerned, and featuring waterproof seals and anodized materials inside and out to resist corrosion completely, this model may only put out 700 lumens but it’s going to last and last (and last and last) far longer than any of the other m

[vivianbutler91]

Anker LC90 / Anker LC130 / SureFire G2X Pro - Up Close & Personal

A review of the Anker LC90, Anker LC130 and the Surefire G2X Pro. I’m not doing beam tests in this video. I’m just looking at features and specs and discussing the pros and cons of each flashlight.🛒 Anker LC90 - 🛒 Anker LC130 - 🛒 SureFire G2X Pro - If you’d like to support the channel, please check out these or any other products on Amazon using the affiliate links above. They will take you to your local Amazon site and directly to the product if it is stocked in your locality.LC90 Specs• Ingress: IP65• Output: 900 lumens• Beam Distance: 200m/600ft• Battery: 18650 3,350mAh Rechargeable• Modes: High | Med | Low | Strobe | SOSLC130 Specs• Ingress: IP67• Output: 1,300 lumens• Beam Distance: 400m/1,200ft• Battery 26650 5,000mAh Rechargeable• Modes: High | Med | Low | Strobe | SOSG2X Pro Specs• Ingress: IPX7• Output: 600 lumens (high) / 15 lumens (low)• Beam Distance: 157m/515ft• Battery: CR123A Lithium Non-Rechargeable• Modes: High | LowI’m totally new to flashlights and torches so please feel free to correct me if I’ve made any mistakes or to add information you feel is relevant in the comments to help others.Also, which is your favourite flashlight brand or model? What do you look for in a torch?These are the first couple of flashlights I have in my collection. They range in price from £30-£80. The SureFire is a bit excessive for my needs but I was curious to see what all the fuss was about so I wanted to invest in at least one.#anker #surefire #flashlightsMy Production MusicI use Artlist for most of the production music you hear on TDCatTech. If you’d like to receive 2 months free on an annual subscription, please signup using - Ethics Note:All products in this video were purchased by me. This is not an advert, and all opinions are entirely my own. I will not accept a product unless a company is happy with an impartial review. No content is scripted or influenced by third parties.Support the Channel:Links to products are Amazon affiliate links. If you click on these links for this product or any other purchase on Amazon, I will receive a tiny commission for bringing you to Amazon’s door. You will not ever pay any more for the product. Thank you if you do use these.My Production Gear• My Gear: • Fixed Camera - • External Recorder - • Portable Camera - • Vlogging Camera - • Camera Mic - • VOX Mic 1 - (used clean)• VOX Mic 2 - (used with mic processor)• Field Recorder - • Studio Lights - My Contact Details► Business Enquiries & Review Products: info@tdcat.com► Collaboration: collab@tdcat.com► Web: from knowledge.website http://knowledge.website/communication/anker-lc90-anker-lc130-surefire-g2x-pro-up-close-amp-personal

from Knowledge Website https://knowledgewebsite.tumblr.com/post/672315631055568896 from Gianna Jordan’s Blog https://giannajordan91.tumblr.com/post/672319070282104832 from Logan Eugene’s Blog https://loganeugene91.tumblr.com/post/672323456163102720 from Marilyn Jeremy's Blog https://marilynjeremy91.tumblr.com/post/672330504133050368

[bongreviewbd]

LC-130 স্কিবার্ড: আর্কটিক ও অ্যান্টার্কটিক মিশনের জন্য সেরা এয়ারক্রাফট

LC-130 স্কিবার্ড একটি অত্যাধুনিক বিমান যা বিশেষভাবে ডিজাইন করা হয়েছে আর্কটিক ও অ্যান্টার্কটিক অঞ্চলে কাজ করার জন্য। এটি মূলত লকহিড C-130 হারকিউলিস বিমানকে মডিফাই করে তৈরি করা হয়েছে। এর বিশেষত্ব হলো স্কি-সংযুক্ত ল্যান্ডিং গিয়ার এবং জেট অ্যাসিস্টেড টেকঅফ (JATO) রকেট। এরকম বৈশিষ্ট্য LC-130 কে একাধিক গবেষণা ও সামরিক কার্যক্রমের জন্য অপরিহার্য করে তুলেছে।

LC-130 এর বৈশিষ্ট্য

স্কি-সংযুক্ত ল্যান্ডিং গিয়ার LC-130 এর স্কি গুলো “হুইলস্কি” নামে পরিচিত। এগুলো প্রত্যাহারযোগ্য, অর্থাৎ প্রয়োজন অনুযায়ী হুইল এবং স্কি মোডের মধ্যে পরিবর্তন করা যায়। এই বৈশিষ্ট্য বিমানটিকে তুষার ও বরফে নিরাপদে অবতরণ করতে সহায়তা করে।

জেট অ্যাসিস্টেড টেকঅফ রকেট (JATO) বিমানটির পাশে JATO রকেট বসানো হয়েছে। এই রকেট গুলো বিমানের টেকঅফের সময় শক্তি বৃদ্ধিতে সহায়তা করে, বিশেষ করে ছোট রানওয়ে বা বরফাচ্ছন্ন এলাকার জন্য।

ঠান্ডা আবহাওয়ার জন্য অভিযোজন

শীত সহ্য করতে বিশেষ তাপরোধী স্তর।

শক্তিশালী গ্লাস উইন্ডো যা তাপ ধরে রাখতে সহায়তা করে।

এপিইউ (Auxiliary Power Unit) যা ইঞ্জিন বন্ধ থাকা অবস্থায় বিমানকে কার্যক্ষম রাখে।

গবেষণা ও সামরিক কার্যক্রমে অবদান

গবেষণায় ভূমিকা: এই বিমানটি বিজ্ঞানীদের জন্য গুরুত্বপূর্ণ সরঞ্জাম ও খাদ্য সরবরাহ করে এবং বরফে ঢাকা দুর্গম অঞ্চলে গবেষণা মিশনে সহায়তা করে। বিশেষত অ্যান্টার্কটিকার ম্যাকমার্ডো স্টেশনের মতো স্থানে এই বিমানটি অনন্য।

সামরিক মিশন: LC-130 সামরিক দায়িত্বেও ব্যবহৃত হয়। উচ্চ আর্কটিক অঞ্চলে রাডার স্থাপনা ও অন্যান্য সরঞ্জাম সরবরাহের জন্য এটি কার্যকর।

কঠিন মিশনে সক্ষমতা

এই বিমানটি এমন সব রানওয়েতে অবতরণ করতে পারে, যেগুলো সাধারণত বরফ বা তুষারে তৈরি। ২০২০ সালে এটি ২০০টিরও বেশি মিশন পরিচালনা করেছে এবং ২,০৯৭ জন ব্যক্তিকে স্থানান্তর করেছে, যা তার শক্তি ও নির্ভরযোগ্যতার প্রমাণ।

উন্নয়নের ভবিষ্যৎ পরিকল্পনা

LC-130 কে আরো উন্নত করার জন্য প্রযুক্তিগত উন্নয়ন অব্যাহত রয়েছে। নতুন প্রোপেলার, ককপিট আপগ্রেড এবং স্যাটকম প্রযুক্তি সংযোজনের মাধ্যমে এর কার্যকারিতা বাড়ানো হচ্ছে।

LC-130 এর মতো স্কিবার্ড বিমানগুলো বৈজ্ঞানিক গবেষণা, সামরিক কার্যক্রম এবং চরম পরিবেশে অভিযানের জন্য অপরিহার্য। এটি এক অনন্য উদাহরণ যে কীভাবে মানব উদ্ভাবন কঠিন পরিবেশে কাজ করার জন্য প্রযুক্তি তৈরি করতে পারে।

তথ্যসূত্র:

Aviation Humor【9】

Air & Space Forces Magazine【10】

আরও দেখুনঃ সিরিয়াল কিলারদের অপ্রত্যাশিত চাকরি: আশ্চর্যজনক বাস্তবতা

Tags: #LC130, #স্কিবার্ড, #পোলারমিশন, #জেটঅ্যাসিস্টেডটেকঅফ, #তুষারপ্লেন, #আর্কটিকপ্লেন, #অ্যান্টার্কটিকপ্লেন, #গবেষণাপ্লেন, #সামরিকপ্লেন, #এয়ারক্রাফ্ট #LC130, #Skibird, #PolarMissions, #JetAssistedTakeoff, #SnowPlane, #ArcticPlane, #AntarcticPlane, #ResearchPlane, #MilitaryPlane, #Aircraft

LC130, স্কিবার্ড, পোলারমিশন, জেটঅ্যাসিস্টেডটেকঅফ, তুষারপ্লেন, আর্কটিকপ্লেন, অ্যান্টার্কটিকপ্লেন, গবেষণাপ্লেন, সামরিকপ্লেন, এয়ারক্রাফ্ট, LC130, Skibird, PolarMissions, JetAssistedTakeoff, SnowPlane, ArcticPlane, AntarcticPlane, ResearchPlane, MilitaryPlane, Aircraft

[stonesquaredproductions]

We were often treated to beautiful sunsets / sunrises over Mount Discovery and the Airfield out on the Ice Shelf!!! My kind of office view! ❄️ ☃ ❄️ ☃Link to my website in bio❄️ ☃ ❄️ ☃ #mcmurdostation #antarctica #rossiceshelf #usaf #lc130 #Nikon #D610 #nature #natureza #naturephotography #landscape #optoutside #amazing_travelpix #landscapes #speechlesstravels #landscapelovers #scenery #wanderlust #photooftheday #choosemountains #stayandwander #thegreatoutdoors #TRAV3LR #earthisunique #letsgosomewhere #liveauthentic #nature_brothers #globetreader ❄️ (at Williams Field)

[watchourluxembourg]

2019 Rolex Yachtmaster 116622 Rhodium dial. Full set ! LC130. (à Watchour) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1at9zjoKrH/?igshid=1xfepnr9whval

[reviewzeitschrift]

Hier ist die Liste von 5 Besten Taschenlampe . 01. LED Lenser 3.200 Lumen Taschenlampe 02. OLIGHT X7R Marauder LED Taschenlampe 12000 Lumen 03. LED Lenser P7.2 Taschenlampe Box 04. ACEBEAM L30 Gen II Taschenlampe Hellste 4000 Lumen 05. Anker LC130 LED Taschenlampe

[defpost]

NY Air National Guard's LC-130 Skibird Aircraft Depart to Participate in Alaska Military Exercises

NY Air National Guard's #LC130 #Skibird Aircraft Depart to Participate in #Alaska Military Exercises. #ArcticEagle #ArcticEdge

Two LC-130 Skibird ski-equipped aircraft and sixty-five Airmen, from the New York Air National Guard (NY ANG)’s 109th Airlift Wing, departed for Alaska on Feb. 25 to participate in two multi-national, joint exercises in Alaska: Arctic Eagle and Arctic Edge.

The exercises are designed to practice operations in extreme cold weather to defend Alaska and provide military support to civil authorities,…

[markvogler]

#TravelTuesday - #Antarctica underfoot from the cockpit of a US Air Force LC130 on the way to McMurdo Station. (at Antarctica)

[rutisup-blog]

Castle Rock Tanning Club #2

“He shot me down…bang bang…I hit the ground bang bang…my baby let me down.”

 Kill Bill just started. Uma Thurman is beating the shit out of some black chick. I’m just sippin’ some Fat Tire. Mike, Joel, Ken, and some other dude are here. Other dude just broke me off a piece of Toblerone. “Now that’s a fine piece of ass…looks just like Larissa’s ass” said one of them during a scene of Uma Thurman wearing tight jeans.  A discussion breaks out about Larissa being a masseuse.

“He’s not gay, he just eats his corn the long way”. says one of them. These dirty old men just don’t stop with the jokes. So, where was I with that my castle rock adventure…

* * *

I set my alarm for 10:15…I’m of the philosophy of trying to get to brunch at a reasonable hour. It’s hard to tell what time it is when you don’t have windows in your room. I woke up several times, as per usual. Partly due to drinking last night, and partly from having two roommates.

I throw on some sweats and a black and white palm tree shirt—one of like six shirts in my inventory here. Time to saunter down for brunch. I don’t even have flip-flops here. I had a little preview of brunch around midnight when they started serving midrats brunch. I was sitting at a table talking to some sous-chef who mentions she’s from Russia in every conversation.

The table we sat at was round, wooden, and full of galley chow. I saw she had a polaroid photo of some guy tucked into her clear gel iPhone case. The other girl at the table had a pink clear water bottle full of water—or what appears to be otherwise. It turns out that it’s just vodka. There’s also a polaroid of someone I carry, it’s just in the ID Pouch of my wallet. “He’s down at Pole” she says.

Enough midrats…back to real brunch. It’s 10:45 and I’m sitting at a table with my friends–basically just a bunch of fuckin’ dudes. There’s gotta be like eight of us all around one of those big wooden tables. Cheeses of every kind were out–per usual–and fresh berries—unusual. Got damn, were there ever a lot of fresh berries available at brunch. After I ate my fill I decided it would be tasty to make a berry margarita in my HydroFlask. I mix some fresh strawberries and raspberries, margarita mix, and that god awful Jose Cuervo together in my HydroFlask with some ice. Surprisingly, it tastes good

It’s another Castle Rock day with the Castle Rock Tanning Club (CRTC). Joel, Tim, and I are going out there per usual to do some snowboarding. Some other people raise an interest over brunch, and we recruit some people to slide down on their lunch trays in lieu of skis or snowboards.

People come and go from our busy table, but we agree to “Meet up at the hand-wash at 12:00”. It’s about 11:20 now, and I call it quits on brunch. I get ready, putting on my snow pants and packing my backpack full of goodies: four PBRs, a HydroFlask full of Berryrita, and a flask of tequila. I grab a to-go paper bowl full of French toast for the road. It takes me longer than you would think to get all of that together, and I’m hustling to get a move on.

We make it out the gate around 13:00, late as per usual. There’s a balloon launch planned for today at 20:00. We check-out of the station at the firehouse with less trouble than our first attempt and then head off down the road towards Castle Rock. We’ve got to walk up the hill and out of town again. “Let’s see if we can get a ride, we’re walking past shuttles anyways” says Tim. He runs inside as we pass Building 140, the building shared by shuttles and the post office. A minute later Tim bursts out of the building. “Load up!” he says. Sick, it worked—we’re getting a ride up that treacherous hill.

The Ford E-250 lumbers up the hill as we pass three people on fat tire bikes. “I bet Bernie’s involved” I say as we creep up on them slowly powering up the hill. Upon closer inspection I see a dude with white Oakleys on pumping away—Bernie. Called it.

Onwards. We get dropped off at the trailhead. We march onwards through the snow—much more manageable and packed down from last week. Tim found an NRK-9 strap for me to fashion as a board sling, so I’m not dragging my snowboard in the snow this time. Joel slips on a little ice, we all have some conversation. It’s a two hour hike up to the rock.

“Who’s the lone ranger, walking back” I say as we see a pale man walking our way. “Man, Is that Vinnie? He walks like him”. says Tim. As we get closer to each other we realize, shit, that’s Velcro Vinnie! We ask him what the heck he is doing alone, and the conversation goes as follows:

“Oh are you supposed to bring someone?” “Did you even do a footplan?” “Nah”.

We ask him to come up to the rock with us, but he wants to get back for Sunday massage / self-massage class. Sayanora.

Icebridge DC-3 Basler

The first apple passes us by, but we stop at the second one for a little rest and chill-sesh. I crack a cold one and Joel opens a bottle of Scrumpy. I get the speaker going, we drag the chair outside into the snow. It’s a beautiful day in Antarctica, a balmy 30 degrees Fahrenheit. I shed my jacket and hang out in my cover-alls and t-shirt–It was pretty sweet out here. We pop the hatch in the apple and Tim uses a snowboard to prop the door open. We wave hello at everyone going past us.

Onwards. We close up the apple and head up to castle rock. We slog up the hill and up to the rock. We mount it and hang out a little on the ridge, our chill spot from the inaugural discovery expedition. About 15 minutes go by and we see Justin–from brunch–coming down off the top of the rock.  “Hey! What’s up dude, wanna come up again with us?” says Tim. “Yeah, sure”.

Ropes have been set in the rock, leading us up to the top. We get up there about 5 minutes later, finding our promised land awaiting. There’s no one else up here, just lots of rock. There’s a nice flat clearing with some nearly black volcanic rocks. It’s huge up here, you could have a whole camp site here. We set up shop, laying our bags down. Shirts pop off, suns out guns out. It’s nice and warm. There’s a flight coming in at 16:00, so we hang out. Drinks are flowing. We all lay down on our clothes—our own makeshift blankets. Justin brought his own blanket but I just didn’t have the cargo space.

We hear a plane coming in for a landing. It’s NASA’s Icebridge DC3 Basler. It’s painted red white and blue, making it stand out. I grab my camera and snap some photos of the landing. It’s pretty neat.

Groups of people come and go from the top of the rock.  “We don’t bite!” yells Tim at them. One guy was even wearing a big red. Meanwhile, we’re here topless. They look disturbed by our presence. At the edge of the rock we find a little ridge area we can hang out it that blocks the wind. Heck yeah. We end up migrating over there, piece by piece. It’s a beautiful thing. Meanwhile, all these people that are on the other end of the rock kind of stay up in that windy area, afraid to come down to us at the clearing.

“This is the firehouse announcing an uncontrolled landing. FROZEN11 will be landing at 1635.” Nice, looks like we got a little airshow. Uncontrolled landing sounds scary, but that just means that there’s no air-traffic controllers working right now. There was supposed to be some LC-130 Hercules landing today, this must be one of them. We take some photos posing in front of the beautiful mountains—the Royal Society range and Mt. Discovery–taking advantage of this beautiful day.

Brrrraaaappppppppp. We can hear the throaty sounds of a plane coming in over the sea ice. It’s that LC130, greenish with a red stripe on the tail. The Air National Guard flies those. It photographs beautifully, foregrounding the Royal Society Range.

30 minutes later and the same thing again–another LC-130. This time I grab the binoculars and track its landing—it looks even cooler, those binoculars much more powerful than my 55-250 lens. Watching a giant plane land on skis like that never gets old. I think it’s the only large aircraft that has skis for its landing gear.

LC-130 coming in for a landing. It’s got 5000 pounds of package mail for us.

The LC-130 joins two other LC-130s, two DC3 Baslers, and a Twin Otter.

I’m at that perfect buzz, just enjoying the beautiful weather. We’re getting ready to head out now, unsure if we should wait for the balloon launch at 20:00.

The fog gets thicker minute by minute back over the sea ice. It’s starting to come up over the top. The visibility that way has dropped to almost zero. It’s a good time to leave. We pack up our HQ and head back over the top of Castle Rock, to the rope routes down the rock. There’s a couple of people that have just come up—a little late for the party. They’re laying prone looking out into the fog as we depart the rock. Strange.

We climb down, feelin’ pretty tired. We strap into our snowboards and skis. Joel is having trouble with his bindings again. It’s kind of funny to watch, he’s kind of at his wits end with these cheap gear-issue alpine skis.

It’s way clearer than last weekend. Out over the permanent ice shelf it’s clear as day—a wall of fog behind us, now spilling over castle rock. I ride down, looking back at the stark beauty of fog flowing over Castle Rock, like cream over coffee, or dry ice and ice cream like they used to serve at Moxie’s.

Antarctic fog

It’s a nice minute-long ride down the mountain and then it flattens out. It’s what I would call the equivalent of a ‘green’ run in California. It’s not so fun after, hiking uphill until we can get to the next slope. We get over the ridge, and see the beautiful long run down to the ‘Kiwi Ski Hill’ and where the ‘green apple’ warm-up hut is. We peer over at the Long Distance Balloon Facility (LDB) to see if the balloon is launching. It kind of seems like it could be, so we walk out of the boundary zone and to this rock ridge overlooking the ice shelf. There’s some Pisten Bully tracks, so we figure it must be fairly safe.

Nothing is really happening down at LDB upon closer inspection. We strap in and get going down the mountain. It’s pretty fun…as far as McMurdo snowboarding goes.  I slalom down the hill between the flags–having a ball. And then we hit the bottom and that’s over. Hours of hiking for just those two little runs. Still, worth it. I would rate the second run a ‘blue’ or even ‘bluegreen’ on the California scale.

We rest a bit in the green apple (ol’ granny smith), hanging out before our long walk back. It’s about four miles back to base from here. About 1.5 – 2 miles until the main road. We see some shuttles drive by—damn it. They look so close, but they’re still another 30 minutes of walking. Long gone by the time we get there.

More walking, and then we finally are nearly at the main road. A slow ‘delta’ heads out the opposite direction we need to go. I get on the radio:

“Shuttleops, Castle Rock Rec Group”. “Shuttles, go ahead”. “Can we get a ride from the snow road?” “uhhh..well we got a delta coming back from Willy in about half an hour, you can grab that…”.

Dang. So we walk another mile, walking past Scott Base and the pressure ridges. We see a dot off into the distance–that’s the Delta we saw earlier on its way back. We hang out atop some Concrete barriers and try to check out LDB again. Hard to tell what’s going on. Looks like a balloon or something is on the ground. Eventually the Delta drives by. The driver keeps driving. “Shuttle Delta” I say on the radio, and she stops–this lady is in a hurry.

We climb up those rough, metal, drop-down stairs into the passenger compartment. A delta has big fat tires that are nearly five feet tall and really puffy, it’s got like 8 of em, and the driver cab is separated from the back. We climb in, strapping into the bench style leather seats lining the sides. These things are bumpy as all hell and go about 7 MPH up the hill.

A grouchy National Guardman is the sole passenger, looking grumpy behind his Oakleys that they had to stop and pick us up. It strains up and over the hill, and half an hour later we’re back at McMurdo–starving. We drop our shit off and then stop by the galley.

I grab a tray, plate, knife and fork and start walking up to the food line.

��Dude, don’t we have to check back in?” “What time is it?” “22:57”. “Shit.”

Visions of salty search & rescue team members and firefighters paged for no reason enter my mind. I just leave my tray with my plate on it by the food line in the galley, abandoning it on some ledge. We hustle back to the firehouse to check in, and when I go back to the galley my stuff is still there—oooh yeah baby. Nothing like chowing down on some food after a long day. We get news that they rescheduled the balloon launch to another day–perfect.

And I went straight to bed after that.

Castle Rock Tanning Club #2 was originally published on RUT-IS-UP

[itmanco]

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[fallenrazziel]

Les Chroniques de Livaï #130 ~ UNE FLEUR DANS LES BAS-FONDS (février 842) Furlan Church

L'histoire de Livaï comme vous ne l'avez jamais lue. ​Le personnage le plus populaire de L'Attaque des Titans, le soldat le plus fort de l'humanité… Qui est-il vraiment ? Qu'a-t-il dans le coeur ? Qu'est-ce qui a fait de lui ce qu'il est ? Je me suis mise en devoir de répondre à ces questions en vous livrant ma propre vision de sa vie, de ses pensées, des épreuves qu'il a traversées, ainsi que celles des personnes qui l'ont côtoyé, aimé, admiré, craint, détesté. Si j'essaie le plus possible de respecter le canon, quelques libertés seront prises sur les aspects de sa vie les plus flous. Quelques personnages seront également de mon invention. Livaï, un homme que l'on croit invincible et inatteignable… Est-ce bien sûr ? Jugez-en par vous-mêmes.

C'est jour de paie. Tout le monde a bien bossé et les parts sont plus importantes que d'habitude.

C'est moi qui divise le chiffre d'affaire entre tous nos camarades. Livaï a attrapé un couteau et s'occupe de le nettoyer consciencieusement. Il semble ne pas faire attention à nous mais je sais bien que rien ne lui échappe.

Les gars sont alignés sur le divan qu'on a réussi à dégoter au marché noir pour pas grand chose. Yan, lui, est assis dans le fauteuil, car c'est plus confortable, avec sa patte folle. Il boitille encore, et on a eu beau faire des visites régulières à l'apothicaire du centre-ville, rien ne semble le faire aller mieux. Sa jambe doit être fracturée, mais on peut pas en être sûr.

Depuis qu'on a l'équipement 3D, les affaires sont plus florissantes. Je donne ce que je dois aux potes, mais je glisse quelques billets en plus dans la liasse de Yan. Il me regarde avec surprise, mais je lui fait un clin d'oeil. Le dis pas, hein ? C'est entre nous. C'est juste que... c'est aussi un peu de ma faute ce qui lui arrive.

Je me rends bien compte que j'aurais pas dû l'autoriser à utiliser le harnais, mais il a tellement insisté... Il en avait tellement envie ! Alors je lui ai prêté le mien... Mais il faut de l'entraînement pour bien y arriver, je lui ai dis. C'est vrai qu'à nous voir, Livaï et moi, ça a l'air facile, mais ça l'est pas. Je suis resté avec lui pour être sûr que ça se passe bien, mais...

Yan est tombé et sa jambe a fait un bruit, comme un crac, qu'il a raconté... Je me suis dit que Livaï allait nous tuer - ou pire, me mettre de corvée de ménage pour le restant de mes jours - s'il apprenait ça... Livaï a pas réagit comme je le pensais, il a froncé les sourcils et dit que Yan avait eu sa leçon, que ça allait bien comme ça et qu'il allait pas en rajouter. Mais ça l'a pas empêché d'aller régulièrement chez l'herboriste pour rapporter des tisanes et des cataplasmes pour soulager Yan.

Mais son état semble s'être aggravé, sans compter qu'il souffre aussi d'arthrite chronique, et ce petit bonus en plus lui permettra peut-être d'acheter quelque chose de plus efficace. J'en doute mais... Enfin, de toute façon le prix de la vie a augmenté dans les bas-fonds, ainsi que le droit de passage de l'escalier. Mes espoirs de quitter un jour ces taudis s'éloignent de plus en plus...

Je sens les yeux de Livaï plantés dans mon dos. Je lui fais face ; il a arrêté de frotter la lame. Il me demande pourquoi j'ai donné autant à Yan. Il sait bien que je me sens coupable de pas l'avoir arrêté, disons que c'est un petit plus pris sur ma part, ça te va ? Il insiste pas et reste silencieux.

Je m'écroule dans le divan quand j'entends du bruit à la porte ; comme si quelqu'un s'était jeté dessus. Tous les gars ont eu leur part et doivent être partis s'éclater au centre-ville. Qui cela peut-il être ? Toujours trop prudent, Livaï se dirige vers l'entrée, le couteau à la main et l'expression impénétrable. Encore un coup. C'est assez. Je sors moi aussi ma lame et tourne la poignée de la porte doucement... puis je l'ouvre d'un mouvement brusque pour surprendre notre visiteur impoli.

Une masse compacte chute sur le sol, et je réalise alors qu'une fille gît sur le plancher. On dirait une gamine en vadrouille. Qu'est-ce que tu fais là, la môme ? Elle me répond, le visage contre le sol, qu'elle est pas une môme. La bouche de Livaï se tord de dégoût - elle a pas l'air très propre - et l'informe qu'il va la dégager de la planque.

La fille se lève, les mains plaquées sur le ventre, et je vois qu'elle tient quelque chose que je distingue pas bien. Sans doute un larcin... Elle s'adosse à la porte, à bout de souffle... Elle a les cheveux roux et de grands yeux bleus. Qu'est-ce qui lui est arrivé, à celle-là ? On la poursuit ?

J'entends des voix à l'extérieur, et Livaï et moi on s'approche pour mieux écouter. C'est la milice Rovoff, je reconnais l'un d'entre eux. Il discute avec ses acolytes de ce qu'ils vont faire à cette fille. Oui, c'est bien d'elle qu'ils parlent, ça me paraît évident. Elle a eu des ennuis avec eux, apparemment. On est pas du genre à se mêler des affaires des étrangers, mais... ce qu'ils évoquent entre eux concernant le sort de cette môme me plaît pas trop.

Le type nous remarque, en haut de la rampe de notre escalier, et nous demande si on a pas vu une jeune fille. Je lui dis que non, mais il semble pas me croire car il a la témérité de se diriger vers nous. Attention, mon gars, ceux qui sont autorisés à monter ici sont triés sur le volet. Et ils doivent avoir les chaussures propres, c'est obligatoire. Bastian le sait, mais il doit pas te l'avoir dit. Et il t'a aussi pas parlé de nous, à ce que je vois.

Il aperçoit la fille, toujours adossée à la porte, immobile. Mais comme on est juste devant, il se permet de mettre les formes en nous demandant de la lui livrer. Cette môme aurait apparemment tenté de franchir l'escalier sans payer. A la bonne heure ! Vous croyez tout de même pas que je vais vous laisser lui faire des saloperies pour si peu ? Et vos tarifs sont de l'escroquerie, tout le monde le sait, vous vous attendez à quoi ?

Le voilà qui me sort le nom de Rovoff. Eh, mon vieux, je vis ici depuis plus longtemps que toi, tu me prends pour qui ? Citer le nom de ton patron m'impressionne pas. Et tu ennuies Livaï, là. Il vaut mieux pas l'ennuyer, tu vois ?

Oh merde, le type s'avance vers nous en se marrant. Il pense que son patron est un laisser-passer universel ou quoi ? Il franchit le seuil et... comble de malchance pour lui, il a la mauvaise idée de mettre sa sale main sur l'épaule de Livaï en passant...

Aïe... Livaï, s'il te plaît, essaie de pas mettre du sang partout...