AERIAL ICE RECONNAISSANCE 



During the 1979 Ice Patrol Season (considered 

 from 1 September 1978 through 31 August 1979) 

 there were 145 aircraft sorties flown in support of 

 International Ice Patrol. These included preseason 

 surveys, ice observation flights and logistic flights. 

 Preseason flights determine iceberg concentra- 

 tions north of 48 °N which are necessary to 

 estimate the time when icebergs will threaten the 

 North Atlantic Shipping Lanes in the vicinity of 

 the Grand Banks. During the active season, ice 

 observation flights map the southwestern, 

 southern and southeastern limits of icebergs. 

 Logistics flights were necessary to rotate ice 

 reconnaissance detachment personnel and for 

 aircraft maintenance. Table 2 shows aircraft 

 utilization during the 1979 season. 



U.S. Coast Guard C-130 aircraft, deployed from 

 either Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, 

 North Carolina or Clearwater, Florida, conducted 

 the Aerial Ice Reconnaissance. These aircraft 

 operated from St. John's, Newfoundland. 



Table 2— Aerial Ice Reconnaissance 

 1 September 1978 to 31 August 1979 



NOTE In season flights include transport of personnel 

 to and from St. John's for normal crew rotation. There 

 were 73 sorties dedicated to ice reconnaissance. 



Totals 



73 



