Ichthyosaur

 

 

             As fast as the inclement weather had appeared, it dissipated. By 1100 hours, the sun was peeking out from behind the fog banks and the temperatures was climbing towards 21° C (70°F). After realizing that we were definitely way ahead of schedule, the decision was made to put the aircrews on crew rest and await the time to transport the fossil to the new home at UAF:

 

 

         
By Friday afternoon, the sun appeared and the site warmed up and dried out. The tarp was removed and a wood frame was placed around Icky to aid in movement and transport.

 

 

             In preparation to reposition the helicopter over to the LZ (landing zone) near Icky, SPC Nathan Jorgensen takes a break from performing the Daily Inspection on 176:

 

 

         
SPC Nathan Jorgensen takes a break during the Daily Inspection of Chinook 89-00176.

 

 

             At approximately 1400 hours, Chinook 89-00176 was repositioned to the LZ that was cleared of small trees and brush earlier in the day. Concerned about the impact to the environment, we were careful not to destroy any vegetation. Trees and small shrubs simply received a short haircut to provide safe clearance for the helicopter rotor system:

 

 

         
When Icky is ready for transport, Chinook 89-00176 is repositioned into the Landing Zone (LZ) near the site to facilitate the move.

 

 

             89-00176 has a unique history all it's own. Many years ago, while still a B model helicopter, 176 was on loan to NASA as part of several experimental projects - including the development of "Fly-By-Wire" technology that is in widespread use among many aircraft around the world.

 

             89-00176 was piloted by CW4 Mark S. Morgan (PC/MTP) and Captain David Magness (PI). The Flight Engineer (FE) was SGT Jason Wainwright. SGT Wainwright is the great, great, great grand nephew of the late General Wainwright - for whom Fort Wainwright, Alaska is named. The Crew Chief (CE) was SPC Nathan Jorgensen.

 

 

             With the preservation and preparations complete, Icky is ready to be pried off the hill. Several team members are required for this task:

 

 

         
Icky is carefully lifted from her bed.

 

 

             Since the initial plan called only for the preservation of the find, not the transport, we were unprepared to actually move Icky. Drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience of both the UAF folks and the soldiers, a method was devised to rotate the specimen over onto the supporting wood frame in order for it to be lowered down the hill. The wood frame would protect the cast from damage due to abrasion with the jagged rock in the debris field. Crew members brought out aircraft cargo straps to function as ropes that everyone could hold onto while Icky was moved. Then they stood back and with crossed fingers - and watched...

 

 

         
Icky is carefully rolled over onto the wood frame.

 

 

             In the absence of slide rulers, Icky was estimated to weigh about 681 kilograms (1,500 pounds) with the plaster coat and wood applied. Much discussion was held on how best to slide Icky down the hill. Finally, the acceleration due to gravity and the coefficient of drag formulas were ignored and mother nature took it's course. In the end, these things have a way of working themselves out...

 

 

         
Icky is carefully slid down the hill.

 

 

             Surprisingly, as much as Icky weighed, the drag from the rock on the debris field kept Icky from moving. In fact, at several points, Icky had to be pulled down the hill.

 

             Much more discussion ensued as to how best to pick Icky up and get the mass into the helicopter:

 

 

         
Icky reaches the bottom, where the ground is soft and wet.

 

 

             A plywood road was constructed and Icky was drug across it. The moist tundra provided sufficient lubrication that made the task easy - with a dozen folks on the ropes of course:

 

 

         
Icky is carefully pulled down a plywood road and towards the helicopter.

 

 

             Plywood was in short supply, so as Icky passed each full sheet, it was moved up to the front to continue the road up to the helicopter:

 

 

         
Icky is hauled up the ramp into Chinook 89-00176.

 

 

             At last, Icky was aboard, tied down, and made ready for the long flight back to Fort Wainwright - and eventually the museum at UAF:

 

 

         
Icky inside Chinook 89-00176.

 

 

             In a rare waking moment, the crew of 89-00174 was captured on film relaxing after a hard night of perimeter defense drills:

 

 

         
The crew of Chinook 89-00174.

 

 

             While 89-00176 got all the glory from transporting the priceless stone, 174 and crew received the first true ash and trash mission since the days of Vietnam. The final objective to be met prior to our departure was the cleanup of the entire site. Our goal was to take out all that we had brought in with us. This included all the trash from the camp as well as the "barrel" and it's contents. Somehow, the crew of 176 just knew they should fly lead on the way home.

 

             89-00174 was piloted by CW2 Gene Frasier (PC) and CW2 Astraea Bridges (PI). The Flight Engineer (FE) was SGT Ortiz. The part of the Crew Chief (CE) was played by SSGT Errol Tibbets, who is also the Second Flight Platoon Sergeant for the Sugar Bears.

 

             The mission was a resounding success. Not only did the soldiers gain valuable experience in surviving the weather extremes of the Arctic North Slope, learning to use the HF Radio, field sanitation and hygiene, but they gained considerable knowledge in Paleontology and fossils in general from working with Dr. Gangloff and the team from UAF. The success was further exemplified by the early recovery of this very important specimen from a time long since past.

 

 

         
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