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Nome Onload ~ 15 May 2004

This was the second time I'd been to Nome, AK. It still looked the same. This time I didn't make it into town, because the mission was to onload 44 scientists plus baggage & gear, and offload 12 crewmembers & baggage.

Nome Airport
Nome, AK
Nome Airport (OME or PAOM)
(Photo by AET2 Maghupoy)
The town of Nome, where the Iditarod ends
(Photo by AET2 Maghupoy)

May 15: The harbor at Nome is too shallow for the icebreakers. Plus, at this time of year, the harbor is filled with ice, so no small boats can make it in there either. So we had to do the onload for this phase by helicopter. It was no small feat. To make it work, we converted one helo for passengers and one for cargo. Passengers would be followed by their bags, then sent on their way. It was all working great, until the ship was diverted for a SAR case! After being released, the ship returned to Nome and we finished the onload before sunset.

On Deck
Cold Tiedowns
Ready for flight ops
(Photo by LT Hollinger)
Cold Tiedown Crew. It was a long day.
(Photo by AET2 Maghupoy)

Get Some Air
Headed back for another load
(Photo by LT Hollinger)

Here's Nome Weather.

Dutch Harbor Science Ops

Updated on 5/21/04