EXERCISE COLD BLAZE - RYGGE NORWAY

 

IIIII OF 3   Dutch Aviation MEDIA 2012      PAGE 3 OF 3
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BACK TO THE PLATFORM AND DEPARTUREi
 
The D-664 just left the platform...
... and carefully it comes along, while the loadmaster also keeps an eye through the window. 
Temperature rose to minus 18 degrees meanwhile, so already six degrees warmer ...   :-))
The Chinook slowly shuffles along 'our' hangar. Under emergency conditions ofcourse the helo can depart in minutes !
Funny thing is that 'in the field' there is no concurrence amongst press what so ever, even better just consulting matters.
The helicopter reaches the point of take-off.....
.... and so it does. On the way to Snowy-White land !
MAOT TEAM - PART II
 
On location Major Robert de Jong plans to have some snapshots as well and discusses Canon camera's with Kees Otten.
Some canon test photo's are made taking white-balance into account. Nikon is guarding the opposite side of the terrain :-)
Here we have a good sight on the approaching Chinook in a few minutes...
 
MAOT is also present to watch the action, it can even be filmed for briefing afterwards.
All set and done for the moment.
 
MAOT marks the exact place to land, as recognition point for the pilots from a distance in this complete white world
This is achieved by using a smoke pod as paint-provider in the snow
A few times 'to and fro' and the line is there. Afterwards the line can be covered with snow again.
In the distance suddenly the sound of the rotorblades comes near....
... the pilots first take a recce, a round of exploration of the conditions of lake and corridor as they were informed before
THE ACTUAL TOTAL WHITE-OUT !
On the landing-zone the loadmaster can also use his visual information and pass it through to the pilots
... here you see the rotorwind wind blowing the snow upwards already...
... the Chinook tries to stay ahead of the 'Vortex' effect as long as possible to have sight as long as possible...
... but than the game is lost and slowly the Chinook dissapears in a cloud of snow, while pilots have to trust in their skills...
  
The pilots have to trust themselves as well as the MAOT team who can communicate from ground to air....
Finally the Chinook lands and disappears (escapes) from the cloud of snow, back to visual conditions.
This exercise has been done over and over to improve skills. Afterwards the men are satisfied, and long for a hot drink !
EVENING EXERCISE AND AFTERWARDS
But that's not all, even in dark night circumstances the exercises have to continue, which give us very nice pictures...
.... while the Chinook starts up on the platform in a yellow halogen light...
... and the procedures start all over again.
However in the evening Rygge brings us sociability, a nice beer, some pizza and some fun !
Soon as the internal human being is 'enhanced', Major de Jong points out the next coordinates for the following day !
         Go to 'Arctic Experience exercise' with Norwegian Airforce !            
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      Thanks for your interest, back to page 1i
   
Special thanks to Norwegian Airforce staff, hospitality, all involved and for flying us !
Also special thanks to the Dutch Airforce for your cooperation and being our host !
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