OPERATION ARCTIC NIGHT Part 1

Description

Summary: Coverage of joint USAF-USA airborne exercise conducted under Arctic conditions to obtain practical experience in cold weather living and operations. VIP's include Lt Gen Glenn O. Barcus, Maj Gen Paul D. Adams (USA), Maj Gen T. J. H. Trapnell (USA), Adm B. Larsen, RDN (Royal Danish Navy) and Brig Gen James B. Knapp. (Photo'd by l361st). Reel l: 1') Maj Gen Paul D. Adams, Comdr 18th Airborne Corps and Maj Gen T. J. H. Trapnell, Comdr, 82nd Airborne Division talking to 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment troops in front of C-l24C at Pope AFB. 102') Cargo being loaded into C-l24C through elevator. 214') AV's of paratroops at open door of C-l24C -- shows paratroops jumping and cargo skid leaving aircraft. 258') AMS C-l24C in flight to left with jump door open. 279') Jump gear being loaded into C-l24C at Pope AFB. 314') Paratroops wearing Arctic clothing boarding C-124C. 411') AMS's of three C-124C's in flight and cargo skids and paratroopers leaving aircraft. 479') Paratroops having equipment checked and boarding C-124C. 681') AV's paratroops relaxing before jump and jumping from aircraft -- also shows cargo skids leaving aircraft. 945') Total footage in reel. Reel 2: 1') Cargo sleds being carried into C-124C and personal gear being loaded at elevator well. 278') Shows C-124C No. 4 engine starting, loading ramps being retracted, doors being closed and aircraft taxiing and taking off at Pope AFB. 457') Three C-l24C's in flight and paratroops jumping and descending. 487') Parka-clad troops pulling sled over ice cap and resting. 591') Troops filing into dining hall at Goose AB. 621') Base Operations Building at Goose AB. 646') C-l24C's landing and taxiing at Goose AB. 717') Maj Gen Glenn 0. Barcus, CINC USNEC, greeting 504th Airborne Battalion Comdr and staff. 753') Shows 504th Airborne troops leaving C-l24C -- two soldiers slip and fall accidentally at base of ramp. 785') Troops laying signal panels on snow and throwing smoke grenades on drop zone. 891') C-l24C taxiing at Thule AB and parked -- shows open doors as truck backs to ramp and troops leave aircraft. 981') Total footage in reel. Reel 3: l') Lt Col Mueller, 504th Airborne, leaving command post tent on icecap. 11') Shows troops erecting tents on icecap and evacuating personnel from aid station to ski-equipped C-47 -- intercut with paratroops descending and landing on icecap. 187') Sign: SNOW HOUSE and small scale mockup of ice shelter. 235') Troops cutting and digging ice blocks and constructing ice shelter. 282') AV's of USAF Combat Control Team aboard C-l24 donning gloves and masks, hooking to static line and jumping, followed by 504th Airborne troops. 378') Supply truck and personnel leaving billets area at Thule AB. 444') Troops in bivouac area donning skis and packs, moving on ice cap and standing in assembly area. 758') Total footage in reel. Reel 4: 1') Troops constructing ice shelters and walking across ice cap. 208') Lt Gen Barcus and Maj Gen Trapnell (USA) at map and conference table with other officers including Adm B. Larsen (RDN). 253') HH-l9B in flight over bivouac area. 295') Troops stowing gear inside ice shelter. 356') Lt Gen Barcus at map with Col Rohr, Col Balchen, and Col Foreman (USA). 403') Troops of the 504th Airborne seated in theater. 432') Col Rohr speaking from podium. 453') Lt Gen Barcus and Col Rohr at polar map. 494') Troops boarding truck and truck pulling away from C-124C. 589') Total footage in reel. Reels 5: 1') Troops constructing ice shelters -- intercut with HH-l9B in flight and hovering over biovac area. 288') 504th Airborne Troops relaxing in billets at Thule AB -- intercut with INT of ice shelter and troops emerging from shelter. 570') Lt Gen Barcus, Maj Gen Trapnell, Adm Larsen,(RDN) and Brig Gen James C. Knapp, Comdr 6606th Air Base Wing, NEAC, at briefing and leaving theater. 754') AV's INT C-124C as USAF CCT and airborne troops await jump. 846') Total footage in reel. Reel 6: l') C-l24C taking off from ice cap. 100') Maj Gen Trapnell and Maj Gen Adams talking to 504th Airborne troops before they board C-124C. 138') 504th Airborne troops boarding C-l24C at Thule AB. 216') F-89 taking off to left. 224') C-l24C's taking off to right at Thule AB. 302') Troops checking gear at hangar and walking to and boarding C-124C. 487') AV's INT C-l24C of troops relaxing without jump gear. 590') Lt Gen Barcus with officers and personnel at briefing and leaving theater. 619') Fire safety demonstration shows small fire being started and extinguished. 646') 504th Airborne troops leaving Thule AB for bivouac area. 834') MLS US and Danish flags flying on mast. 845') Total footage in reel. Reel 7: l') C-l24C's landing, taxiing, taking off and climbing at Thule AB. 223') AV's bivouac area on icecap. 308') MS's FV C-l24C with cargo door open. 407') 504th Airborne troops leaving C-124C assembling near aircraft and marching to left. 479') Troops with ski equipment walking on snow-covered roads and entering billets at Thule AB. 589') Paratroops descending, landing on icecap and setting up command post in drop zone. 752') Total footage in reel. Reel 8: l') Scenes of 4.2 inch mortar crew in action, 75mm recoilless rifle crew at weapons and 8lmm mortar crew in action. 6l') Lt. Gen Barcus greeting officers in front of C-124C as troops leave aircraft. 164') Troops in bivouac area constructing ice shelters and carrying supplies. 348') MCU signs: HEADQUARTERS BATTALION COMBAT TEAM-2 504TH AIRBORNE INFANTRY; and 1ST & 2ND 4.2 MORTAR PLATOON, 504TH AIRBORNE INFANTRY. 399') Billets area Thule AB. 448') USAF Combat Control Team in supply section gathering and preparing gear for drop. 556') Ambulance beside ski-equipped C-47 and personnel being transferred to ambulance at Thule AB. 634') Shows 504th Airborne troops leaving C-124C, assembling on flight line and marching to left. 705') Total footage in reel. Reel 9: l') Shows C-l24C landing to left at Thule AB. 91') MCU's teletype operator at machine. 112') Shows C-124C parked as engines stop, doors open -- ramps are placed and troops leave aircraft and stand on flight line. 325') LS C-l24C parked. 343') Control tower operator at microphone and signalman using blinker. 426') Troops firing 57mm recoilless rifle and 3.5 inch rocket launcher. 823') Total footage in reel. Reel 10: 1') Troops receiving ski instructions. 175') Lt Gen Barcus greeting Adm Larsen (RDN) and Maj Gen Trapnell (USA). 217') ID tags with lieutenant generals stars on staff car bumper. 220') Billets area at Thule AB. 265') C-124C's in landing approach at Thule AB. 316') Eight C-124C's lined up on flight line. 371') Troops pulling sleds and walking on icecap, resting, firing, blanks and 30 caliber machine gun. 481') Shows C-124C flying over, landing and taxiing at Thule AB and in parking area. 657') Control tower at Thule AB. 669') Total footage in reel. Good (Basic: Orig neg)

Collection

Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities