C-130D Support of the Greenland Ice Cap DYE Sites

This monograph covers the planning and construction of the two DEW Line sites, DYE II and DYE III, on the Greenland Ice Cap and their resupply by C-130D ski-wheel cargo aircraft are covered. Early aviation history of the Greenland Ice Cap is also described. The importance of Greenland to the defense of the Western Hemisphere and its importance in the protection from over-the-pole bomber attacks is described, to include the Greenland DEW Line extention. A brief description of early C-47 ski-wheel trials, Project SNOWMAN, is included. The development and employment of the C-130D and C-123J are described, as well as the design and construction of DYE II and DYE III and the airlift support provided by the C-130D from the 61st Troop Carrier Squadron. The transfer of the Greenland Ice Cap airlift support mission to the 17th Tactical Airlift Squadron, and the later transfer of the squadron to the Alaskan Air Command, and finally the transfer of the airlift mission to the 109th Tactical Airlift Group, NYANG, are covered. Also described are the support provided by the C-130D to scientific expeditions and search and rescue on the Greenland Ice Cap.