The crew at "Air Terminal Operations Center" (ATOC) is responsible for the essential task of handling the Hercules aircraft cargo in the US and in Kangerlussuaq, including many odd shipments for EGRIP, sometimes containing odd-sized equipment and hazardous material that needs to be handled correctly. The ATOC crew members work closely together with EastGRIP's own logistics staff in Copenhagen and field operation managers in Kangerlussuaq to plan and carry out the operations. Here, ATOC crew is loading the Hercules going to EastGRIP on May 22nd. Note the EastGRIP badges. Photos Sune Olander Rasmussen

Today we had a two hour visit of a Skier from Kangerlussuaq with crew exchange and shipment of cargo. We said goodbye to 12 and welcome to 7 EGRIP participants. We also welcomed the last member of the Greendrill team and had a couple of day visitors from Kangerlussuaq. Camp population is now 14 (EGRIP) + 4 (Greendrill) + 3 (Twin-Otter crew). The two hours were used for valuable knowledge exchange between incoming and outgoing participants as there are many skills that need to be maintained to run the camp. The Twin-Otter made three shuttle trips to the Greendrill site having now moved most of the equipment. If weather permits, the final shuttles will be done by tomorrow. Because all of today’s many surface activities, work in the trenches was limited to drilling and logging of a single core in the morning. In the coming days, we will get organized with new drill teams and get the production up - unless the deepest part of the ice sheet has surprises waiting for us. With new people in camp, new habits develop. In the evening, there was suddenly guitar playing and singing at the second floor of main dome.

Weather today: Overcast all day, but with a ceiling of 3000 feet allowing for flight missions. Temperatures -26°C to -18°C. Wind 1-8 kt from N.

A busy day at EGRIP airport