ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The crew of an HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Kodiak flew the first 2010 Arctic Domain Awareness flight over Alaska’s northern coastline to assess the winter ice buildup in the region Wednesday.
Also aboard the flight were four Coast Guard Academy Cadets engaged in a year-long research project identifying potential for enhanced Coast Guard cooperation and engagement with Native Alaskans and multilateral partners in the Arctic.
“A large part of the project is focused on interaction with the local people,” said 1st Class Cadet Noah Hudson. “It is important to work closely with the locals due to their knowledge of the Arctic.”
Arctic Domain Awareness flights provide visibility on seasonal mining operations and coastal erosion while supporting the Coast Guard’s Homeland Security mission, maritime domain awareness and science research, as well as testing personnel and equipment capabilities, identifying challenges and surveying sea ice.
Arctic flights are conducted approximately every two weeks. Flights throughout the 2010 season will be conducted from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak.
