As you have figured out by now, I spent last week in Greenland.
Specifically, flying around the big ice cube to research camps with the 109th Airlift Wing of the NY Air National Guard.
My last blog was about volleyball in the Arctic and I am sure more than a few of you are confused as to what people are doing so far in the middle of nowhere.
So logically, what do you do when you are at a research camp with scientists studying ice cores?
You talk.
Those of you who know me personally understand I can talk.
So I did.
Most of the people at NEEM spoke english in some form or another, so that was a plus...



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CATEGORY: Environment

TAGS: NEEM, Greenland, Ice, Core, global climate change, Jim White, Arctic, Eemian

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Talk about a cool game.
When I was at NEEM, a research facility on the Greenland ice sheet, a strange game broke out.
Volleyball. No grass, no sand, no dirt even, just snow. The temperature was a balmy -8º C, but it did not seem to deter anyone.
NEEM scientists had something to celebrate. One day before they hit rock with their ice drill, completing a three-year long mission to sample the Greenland ice through time.
"We think the ice at the bottom may be 150-160,000 years old, maybe as old as 200,000," lead US scientist and University of Colorado-Boulder Professor Jim White said. "It is really exiting."
We were the first group of outside media to see the core. These tubes of ice are on the way to Denmark for processing...



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CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: NEEM, Greenland, Ice, Core, global climate change, Volleyball, Arctic

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Have you ever heard the term maintainer?

You would say yes if you were in the Air Force.

Last week, I spent five days in Greenland with the Air National Guard's 109th Airlift wing and now I know first hand how important those folks are to the polar missions in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Without this crew of men and women, the 109th's LC-130 Hercules Aircraft would be stuck on the ground (along with me).

This group of people is not flashy or sexy to write about, right? Wrong.

Safety is key anywhere when your are flying airplanes, but when you are flying in the Polar regions, it is imperative. One small problem and you are stuck. I don't mean for the day, it could be weeks...



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CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: 109th airlift wing, stratton, greenland, global, climate, change, new york, schenectady, Air National Guard, maintainer, C-130, Herc

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We tried to leave, but the plane wouldn't let us.
After a few fixed problems, we left Stratton then had to return when the plane had a wing sensor issue.
Better for fix it here then attempt the six-hour flight to Greenland.
I did have the opportunity to take photos of the guys fixing the plane.
When life gives you lemons, take pictures of it.
We are going to try again today.
See you in Kanger...

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CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: 109th airlift wing, stratton, greenland, global warming, new york, schenectady, Air National Guard

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The greatest challenge next week will be the weather. I checked weatherunderground.com this morning and at Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (the former Sonderstrom Air Force Base where the 109th Airlift Wing bases its planes in Greenland)the high temperature should be about 60 degrees. The weather on the ice sheet (which is about 90% of the country) is always colder and changing.
Check this link out.
http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=72.58000183&lon=-38.45000076&zoom=10&pin=Summit%2c%20Greenland
The funny thing is that you have to zoom out on the map just to see anything but ice. They do not have a Stuarts on every corner here.

At Summit it is 11 degrees. I hope it does not snow this time.

I am glad I packed the warm socks...

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CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: Summit, greenland, 109th, Air National Guard, Scotia, mcintyre

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Remember Tom Petty, the guy who didn't look to pretty or sing very well, but could write great songs. Now it is a waiting game for me.

Next Monday, July 26, I will be flying with the 109th Airlift Wing in Scotia to Greenland.

Yes, the country...

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CATEGORY: General Family & Home

TAGS: 109th Airlift Wing, Scotia, Stratton, Greenland, Global Warming

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5:23 p.m. Wednesday

The phone rings in my office with a bleep, bleep. That means an outside call is coming directly in. Most of the front office was gone so they come through.

I pick up.

“Hello, this is John McIntyre”
“Where is my Damn paper,” a scruffy sounding female voice bellows out.
“I am not sure. What does it look like?”
A long pause.
“I am Mrs. M (shortened by me) and I usually get my paper on Wednesday and It didn’t come.”
“You must live in Delmar Mrs. M. We had a problem at the post office last night, but everything is fixed and you will have it tomorrow.”
A long pause.
“I wanted it today, it is Wednesday.”
“Would you like me to drop one off to you on my way home Mrs... Continue Reading

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: bethlehem NY spotlight Newspapers delmar

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72.0 °F
(22.2 °C)