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Alaska - The Last Frontier
During April 2008, I was part of an intrepid group of 4 photographers who travelled to “The Last Frontier,” in search of some unique aircraft and opportunities. Alaska is one of the most remote places on Earth, and this remoteness provides some unique challenges for aircraft operators. The nature of the operations means that in some cases, the aircraft most suited to performing them are often old, seemingly obsolete propliners, dating in some cases from the 1940s. Along with remote parts of Canada, Alaska is one of the only relatively accessible places to see such aircraft still earning a living, and that fact, combined with the opportunity to photograph at close quarters a large military exercise, led to 3 of us making the long journey from the UK to Anchorage, Alaska!
07 Apr 08 - Journey to the Last Frontier
After a journey time of 18 hours and a change of flight in Chicago, we arrived in Anchorage at 2300. I travelled from the UK with Karl Drage and Mark “Shaggy” Rouse, and on arrival, the 3 of us met up with Paul “Skippy” Filmer, who had the considerably shorter journey from Denver. Our stay in Anchorage was very brief, as we were due to fly up to Fairbanks the following morning, so after a few short hours sleep we found ourselves back at Ted Stevens International Airport, and boarding another aircraft!
08 April 08 - Fairbanks
The flight to Fairbanks was just under an hour, and we arrived to find low cloud and blowing snow on the airfield. The weather didn’t stop us from noticing a large number of classic propeller driven aircraft littered around the airfield in various states of repair. After a brief stop for breakfast, it was time for our first visit of the day to Everts Air Cargo, and their collection of airworthy and stored DC-6 and C-46 freighters.
The next operator of classic props we visited was Brooks Aviation and their DC-4s, along with their storage area.
Occupying the hangar next door to Everts are Northern Air Cargo. They no longer base aircraft at Fairbanks, but their ramp is home to a collection of time expired DC-6s, in varying states of repair.
The final visit we made was to Arctic Circle Aviation, who operate a classic British aircraft, fast becoming a rarity and a classic in its own right, the Shorts 330.
Our first day at Fairbanks was packed with interesting aircraft and some very friendly and helpful people, and was a great way to begin the trip. Next day would see a distinct change of pace, when we were to travel to Eielsen AFB, for the media day of Red Flag Alaska.
09 April 08 - Red Flag at Eielson AFB
The real reason for the timing of our visit to Alaska, was to attend the Red Flag - Alaska exercise, held jointly at Eielson and Elmendorf AFB. Our first visit was intended to be the first of 2 days at Eielson, with the day being spent photographing the aircraft forming the Air Expeditionary Wing, based there for the exercise.
Red Flag - Alaska report can be found here:
Further Photos can be found here:
This was a very enjoyable first experience of a Red Flag exercise for me, and I was looking forward to the next day’s action very much.
10 April 08 - Snow fun at all…
The original intention was to spend a second day at Eielson, and fly in a KC-10 Extender, in order to photograph the fighters coming to refuel during the exercise. However, we awoke in Fairbanks to moderate, but very persistent snow, and this was enough to force cancellation of the flying for the day, and therefore our tanker ride! Most of the day was spent hanging around the hotel in Fairbanks, waiting for news and trying to move some other visits around to accommodate another try at a tanker ride later in the trip.
We did, however, get the chance to visit one of Evert’s hangars which is currently being rented by NASA to store aircraft involved in an atmospheric research project.
After a very disappointing day, we were hopeful for better the next day, when we were due to fly back to Anchorage.
11 Apr 08 - Flying with the Arctic Eagles
It was with a slightly heavy heart that we left Fairbanks, with a feeling of unfinished business. Our mood was lightened somewhat to see blue skies on arrival at Anchorage airport, and we were hopeful for a good trip to the Army National Guard at Bryant Field. To say that the visit exceeded our expectations is possibly something of an understatement…
After leaving Bryant Field in something of a daze, we headed to Anchorage airport for the first time, to catch some of the afternoon movements.
After a really miserable day in Fairbanks with the cancelled tanker flight, the Army National Guard visit was a perfect tonic, and raised our spirits immensely. The people we met there were tremendous professionals, but also incredibly accommodating, and helpful, going well beyond our expectations to give us a truly unforgettable experience, and one of the highlights of this, or any other trip.
12 Apr 08 - ANC and Lake Hood
With the previous day seemingly like a dream, we spent the morning shooting more movements at ANC, with the early light necessitating a slightly different view point.
As the sun got higher, shooting got harder, so we moved on to visit one of the many small, independent operators at ANC, Lynden Air Cargo, an operator of the L-100 Hercules.
The late afternoon and evening was spend shooting light aircraft around Lake Hood, a float plane base adjacent to the airport at ANC. With snow on the ground, and the sun low in the sky, there were some great opportunities to shoot some of the huge number of aircraft based on the shores of Lake Hood, a very pleasant and relaxing way to finish the day.
13 Apr 08 - Road Trip
With the freight schedules being very quiet at ANC on Sunday, it was a perfect opportunity for a road trip up to Palmer Airport in the shadow of the Alaskan Range mountains. We were there to visit John Reffett and his pair of C-119 Flying Boxcars. It is John’s intention to restore these aircraft to flying condition and put them to work hauling freight to remote villages.
We returned to Anchorage via the airport and museum at Wasilla (sadly closed).
With most of the freight carriers at Anchorage not flying at the weekend, we took the opportunity to visit Northern Air Cargo, and their fleet of active DC-6s and newer 737-200 freighters.
Another very relaxed, but satisfying day, with the visit to Palmer being the undoubted highlight. There is no doubting John’s commitment to getting the C-119 off the ground, and his skill and experience to perform the restoration job. I wish him all the best with the project, and hope to be able to photograph the aircraft in flight sometime soon.
14 Apr 08 - Dark Clouds Drift Away…
First item on the agenda was a visit to Kulis ANGB, home of the 176th Wg, Alaska Air National Guard, operating the C-130H, HC-130N and HH-60. Sadly the weather was uncooperative, and the skies stayed grey, but it was still an interesting experience, especially being able to get close to the Pave Hawk helos.
After our visit to the ANG, the sun put in an appearance, and we visited some of the charter companies based at Anchorage. First up was Trans Northern Air Charter, the last remaining operator of the Super DC-3 (civil DC-3S, military C-117).
After a superb visit there, it was on to Everts Air Cargo. After visiting their operation at Fairbanks earlier in the trip, this was another opportunity to get close to their magnificent fleet of DC-6 and C-46 aircraft.
The day was concluded with a brief visit to Pen Air, one of the smaller companies specialising in scheduled passenger and freight operations to remote communities in Alaska.
Another very satisfying day, with the only disappointment being the poor weather for the ANG visit. By now we were very familiar with Anchorage airport, and had visited most of the companies which interested us. After the rather sedate experience of photographing these aircraft at their base, it was back to fast and furious military action the next day with a visit to Elmendorf AFB.
15 Apr 08 - The “other” Red Flag - Elmendorf AFB
The second of our Red Flag - Alaska media days took place at Elmendorf AFB, home to F-15 Eagles, F-22 Raptors, and also the command and control element, provided by E-3 Sentry aircraft.
Red Flag -Alaska article here:
Futher Photos can be found here:
After a superb half day at Elmendorf, the snow started to fall heavily, so it was time to knock off the photography and head to the bowling alley! Spirits were high after another great day, and we felt satisfied that we had achieved almost all we had set out to do in Alaska, and a little more besides. I say almost all, as we had a little bit of unfinished business yet to attend to…
16 Apr 08 - Fly Gucci
The cancelled tanker flight had been a real disappointment for us all, so when we were offered the opportunity to reschedule the flight, we didn’t take too much persuading!
It turned into a fairly interesting logistical operation to book flights, accommodation and car hire, but we managed it, and it was well worth the effort, another unforgettable experience, shooting F-16s up close through the largest piece of glass fitted to a pressurised aircraft. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the very helpful and patient PAO at Eielson, TSgt John Gott - thanks again John!
17 Apr 08 - Loose Ends…
Having managed to visit most of the companies and locations in the area, we were able to fit in a visit to the RAF’s contribution to Red Flag Alaska, a Boeing E-3D Sentry from 8/23 Sqn at RAF Waddington.
After that it was back to ANC, for a brief ramp tour, enabling us to visit some areas not photographable from the outside. These included views of some of the stored aircraft on the airfield, including the magnificent C-133 Cargomaster, kept in an airworthy state, but only flying very rarely on state or military charter work.
After the completion of our tour, it was time to pack away the cameras, and prepare for our return to the UK. Although scheduled to take 14 hours, we ended up with an extra 13 hours in Chicago, courtesy of a cancelled American Airlines flight, meaning the journey home took over 27 hours!
This delay however, failed to take the shine off what had been a tremendous trip, filled with unique aircraft, great people and a good deal of laughs along the way. I’ve tried to thank the people responsible along the way, but I must conclude by paying tribute to my traveling companions along the way Karl, Shaggy and Skippy. In particular, thanks are due to Skippy for the organisation and for the driving. It was a truly superb trip, and one that it will be difficult to top in the future.
Paul |
