Air Force Confirms 4 Killed In Elmendorf Crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- Officials are now confirming that all four Airmen on board an Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft that crashed Wednesday on Elmendorf Air Force Base have died.

KTVA Staff
Created: 07/28/2010 09:25:20 PM PDT

"Our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of those Airmen killed in this crash. Yesterday, we lost four members of our Arctic Warrior family and it's a loss felt across our entire joint installation," said Col. John McMullen, 3rd Wing commander. "Right now our immediate focus is on providing all possible support to the loved ones of our fallen aviators. We are also engaged in a deliberate investigative process."

For more on this story, go to KTVA. My thoughts are with all those involved with this accident.

Wordless Wednesday 10/28/2010

Plane junk yard

You have to love old machinery. It helped carve out our country and our world. I like old airplanes. Maybe because I spent 20 years in the USAF and retired as an aircraft mechanic. Maybe. Anyways, the older the plane the cooler it is to me. They have a lot cooler story to tell for me than the newer highly computerized fighter jets.

I ran across these planes on the backside of the airport in Fairbanks a few weeks ago. Of course they were in a locked yard and it was a weekend, so I had to shoot photos from the road. Just look at these relics and you can see a story or two or three.

Some of the companies painted on the planes no longer exist and some have upgraded their fleet to jets. On some of the planes you can still see where it use to say United States Air Force or United States Navy, but you know they haven't been in their inventory for a long time.

I need to make it back on a weekday. I need closer shots. I need to know more.

Wordless Wednesday 7/21

You have to love Fairbanks!

I don't get to go as often as I use to, but I always enjoy my stay there. I need to take more time there when I do go. There's so many interesting things to see and check out. Being an aviation buff helped out with this photo.

These folks, Sternwheeler Tanana Chief, were one of the sponsors of the powwow.

I've been past Pioneer Park (formerly known as Alaskaland) many times and have never gone in. The flower gardens and wood carvings you think would get me to go in.

I'll get back there and check out some more.

Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow, Fairbanks, Alaska

The Midnight Sun Intertribal Powwow is held every year in Fairbanks. It brings Native Americans from all over together to celebrate their heritage. I'm not a Native American, but I've been privileged to have attended the powwow twice. The weather this year was awesome and so were the participants.

Besides mingling with people, learning their heritage and ways, you have to love the colorful regalia that they wear. From young children to the adults, the pride is very obvious.

This gentleman hails from New York. His family and him traveled a long ways to participate.

Everyone is invited to join in the the fun and activities.

Check out more photos here.

Wordless Wednesday 7/14/2010

For the weekend

I was driving through this neighborhood back from the store and I saw all of this fluttering on this door. I was wondering what the heck this lady had on her door. Well these magpies really like her wreath.

They built a Target store in South Anchorage and next to it they made a nice little nature area. Sometimes I stop there just to take a break during the day.

The Common Fireweed is in bloom. Very common plant throughout most of Alaska. It's generally the first thing to grow back after a forest fire. As the blooms go up the plant, the closer winter is.

Going to Fairbanks for the weekend. Everybody have a safe one!

Wordless Wednessday 7/7/2010

Happy 4th of July

It's been a busy weekend, but I was able to break away some to go shoot some photos with Britt at the Alaska Botanical Garden and the Municipality of Anchorage Greenhouse at Russian Jack Park. It as drizzling some of the day, which helped out lighting and kept the crowds away.

Britt is a great friend and has an awesome talent with photography. She freely shares her secrets with photography while we're out and about. She has a great eye and a unique perspective. I often post links to her website here.

The Municipality of Anchorage Greenhouse at Russian Jack Park provides a wide variety of flowers for the many city maintained gardens around town. It might be a small garden on a street corner or a large one at a city park.

It made for a colorful day and helped take the gloom out of the rain.

For more of my photos, go here and here.

For more of Britt's, go here.

Seward trip part II

It was rainy and windy in Seward. Those of you that know Seward would say "What else is new?". This eagles feathers were getting all blown around, but it kept its eye open looking out at the bay for the next treat.
Seward is a fishing town. I love photographing boats, but I don't want to work on one. It looked like these guys were stocking up before they headed out.
Seward is also a railroad town. The Alaska Railroad starts in Seward. People here always seem to be able to do something useful with something old that no one else wants. This old railroad car was moved to Millers Landing. What for I couldn't find out.
Our last stop was Exit Glacier. It's the only part of the Kenai Fjords National Park that is accessible by car. From here you can see how the natural surroundings were formed by glaciers, ocean storms, earthquakes and more.

I had a great time and I hope Kendra did also. She got to see a lot of Alaska in a short time.