The White Falcon - 20.08.1993, Blaðsíða 4

First-ever Air Force truck reaches glacier summit _
56 Rescue Squadron puts new steed through its paces
Story and photos by
J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
The persistent hiss of escaping air mingled
with the subdued ticking of diesel engines. A
slight breeze swayed the high frequency
antennas and the gurgle of ancient glacial
waters aided to set the scene at the base of
Langjokull, Europe’s second largest glacier,
located in the mid-eastern part of Iceland,
near Husafell.
An Air Force truck was about to become
the first of its kind to drive to the top of a
glacier. Five other trucks were also readying
themselves for the two-hour ascent to the top
of the crevasse-ridden snowcap.
An Air Force truck? Indeed. The 56th
Rescue Service (RQS), 35th Wing, was the
recent recipient of the modified 1988 Chev-
rolet four-wheel drive pickup. Seven months
ago, the idea was conceived to transform an
existing four-wheel drive vehicle into a ca-
pable rescue truck.
“The stock unit constantly became stuck
assisting others or in transit to remote rescue
and training sites, the result being damage to
the vehicle. The money that was being spent
on repairing these damages started adding
up,” said Capt. Reid Anderson, former Chief
of Transportation, Air Force Transportation.
The Transportation Department researched
the legality of having modifications performed
to a government vehicle by an outside source.
Hafteinn Emilsson, contract coordinator
for transportation, reviewed various compa-
nies that deal exclusively in four-wheel drive
conversions and purpose-built modifications.
After entertaining bids from three authorized
businesses, the contract was given to one of
Iceland’s largest companies.
“We gave them one month to complete the
necessary alterations to the six-passenger
pickup,” Emilsson stated.
Sgt. Mike Ziegler drops the tire pressure.
Icelandic media was on hand as the truck reached the summit of Langjokull.
In order to make the vehicle ready for
operations in all sorts of weather conditions,
certain modifications were needed. First, the
truck received lower gearing and locking
differentials. Then, a four-inch body and a
two-inch suspension lift gave clearance for
the 38” tires.
“The decision to increase tire size dramati-
cally over the original equipment ones is a
common procedure here. In order for a truck
to travel on the snow, instead of through it, it
must have tires with a high degree of flota-
tion,” he explained.
The modifications continued with four
bumper-mounted lights, a 12,000 lb. winch,
fender extensions and a camper shell to house
search and rescue equipment.
The early-aftemoon sun shone brilliantly,
defining the glacier against the blue sky. The
truck owners were letting the air from their
tires escape in a frenzied rush.
“We drop the tire pressures as needed for
the conditions. Sometimes a few pounds are
sufficient for a smoother ride. But in this
instance, we are dropping pressures from the
original 30-351bs., down to ten or 151bs. This
dramatic decrease in pressure allows the tire
to flatten, giving an increased surface area for
traction,” explained Emilsson.
The scenario was repeated within a few
hundred feet as the drivers found themselves
barely inching forward on the incline. “I can
allow the pressure to go as low as one lb.
Then you must be careful not to spin the tires
eccessively or turn the steering wheel abruptly
since the risk of thowing the tire off the rim is
possible,” he added.
With engines barely above idle speed, am
ultra-low gears turning wrinkled tires, the six
trucks slowly forged their way up Langjokull.
“We are amazed at how the truck per-
formed,” stated TSgt. Craig Sammons, a
pararescueman with the 56th RQS. “The
change that a few pounds of air make for
traction is incredible.”
Sammons, along with Sgt. Mike Ziegler
and SrA. Chaz Stiefken, both pararescue-
men, were along to leant what modifications
were performed and what each one did for the
truck.
“I feel that the time spent behind the wheel
in a realistic environment can only help pre-
pare us for future emergencies,” Sammons
related.
The group finally crawled to the summit,
greeted by dense fog and a mixture of rain
and snow, 1,400 meters above sea level. The
objective for the trip was met and the drivers
pointed their trucks downhill.
“This was the first known instance of an
Air Force truck, or for that matter, any gov-
ernment truck, reaching the summit of a
glacier,” Emilsson declared.
For now, the rescue service guys have a
capable truck. After a few minor gliches
additions are taken care of, the vehicle
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stand ready to provide assistance in areas that
were previously unaccessable to stock equip-
ment.
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The White Falcon