This morning I had the pleasure of accompanying one of the weather station technicians on a brief trip to Gagan, an island on the northeast side of the atoll, not far south of Roi-Namur. The big reason I wanted to go was to ride on my first helicopter.
Leaving Kwaj. Note the big tide pools on the oceanside (more of a turquoise blue). I went snorkeling there for the first time on Sunday, and look forward to going back.
Another view of Kwaj, looking across the lagoon
Approaching Gagan (right side)
Gagan
The chopper I was on, on the helipad at Gagan. This is a LUH-72 (Wikipedia article), also known as the Lakota. It was a full flight with 5 people on board, aside from the 2 pilots.
As soon as we got off, the helicopter left. We had about 45 minutes before it would come back, so while Ernie (weather station tech) did his work, I wandered around and took some photos.
Thanks to Ernie for taking this photo of me (note–despite what the sign says, we didn’t actually have to check in). No one lives on Gagan, but there are various instruments there that Kwaj workers maintain.
Walking along the lagoon side of Gagan
Looking to the islands north of Gagan
Thanks again to Ernie for taking a few photos of me while on the helicopter. Note we’re required to wear life jackets while on the chopper (we’re traveling entirely over water) and ear plugs (it was quite loud).
On our way back to Kwaj, we briefly stopped at Meck to drop a couple people off and pick up a couple more. Meck has a launch pad for occasional anti-ballistic missile tests. No one lives on Meck, either, but a number of people from Kwaj go there frequently to work. (Note the white ship next to the pier…that’s a catamaran from Kwaj.)
Another view of Meck
This is Bigej, the island I’ve gone to several times to go snorkeling at
Ebeye, home to over 10,000 Marshallese (just north of Kwaj)
Approaching Kwaj
Where I work–the weather station is the building with the dome on top, to the lower right of the weather radar near the left side of the image. It’s situated on a 9-hole golf course (the other 9 holes are on Roi).
I had a great time; thanks to Ernie for inviting me along!
Looks like you had fun!
Some Friday if you’d like we can put you on a “reef sweep’. Chopper hits most of the sensor sites with about 30 minutes ground time on each. It’s about a 1/2 day venture!
Love your photos. You must have $$$ camera!
Cheers,
Rick (Base Ops)
Rick,
The reef sweep would be great! I do have a nice camera; a few months ago I purchased a Canon 7D, which is a pretty high end DSLR. I had a DSLR already, but there were no underwater housings made for it, and I kind of wanted an upgrade anyway. I’m still learning many of the features and photography techniques so I can use the camera closer to its full potential. 🙂
Cool to see Meck Island again, I worked there in the 80’s during the anti ballistic missle tests, flew back and forth every day from Kwaj to Meck on the old Caribou aircraft, good memories.