https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/05fac329-055e-40fe-b930-fd11443f4b08 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddem5RlB3bQe99wyY49g0g/join Help us preserve, scan and post more rare and endangered films! Join us on Patreon. Visit https://www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Visit our website www.PeriscopeFilm.com During the Cold War, the U.S. military saw Greenland as an important outpost and sought to establish bases there. This film shows Operation Icecap II, which took place between May and September of 1954. Icecap took place under the auspices of the U.S. Army’s Snow, Ice and Permafrost Research Establishment (SIPRE) launched in 1949. SIPRE’s Operation Icecap investigated the surface of the inland ice and attempted to peer within it. Party Crystal, which was a small mobile scientific team, worked eastward from Thule Air Base from May to September 1954 measuring elevation, snow properties, snow accumulation, density, stratigraphy and permeability, summer melt, and drilling ice cores. The data were put to use in considerations for transportation and engineering operations on the inland ice, including excavations, digging, and tunnelling. • 0:27-0:30: Greenland is of strategic importance to national defense. • 0:37-0:48: In 1952, the Transportation Arctic Group began developing surface transportation on the ice cap. • 0:53: The 1953 tests to study the ice cap's physical characteristics. • 1:16: A 17-mile road was built between Tuli and Nuna takeoff. • 1:30: Supplies had to be transported before the spring breakup. • 2:25: A supply dump • 3:07: Snow drifts covered the road, requiring a tractor sled operation. • 3:15: The group improved the road as the snow melted. • 3:43: A road capable of supporting wheel traffic was built. • 4:21: The road was partly clear and partly covered with snow. • 4:36: Supplies reached the lake camp despite difficulties. • 4:46: Helicopters were used for resupply during the ice breakup period. • 5:08-: Mail and priority cargo were flown in • 5:19: An ice breaker cleared the fjord for resupply. • 5:51: Test vehicles driven onto the snow for the first time. • 6:04 The rollon principle was tested on the ice cap. • 6:22: Preparations were made for the sled departure. • 6:37: The group ascended the Nuna ramp and headed to the test area. • 7:16: Vehicle performance was observed. • 7:33: Various vehicles and equipment were tested on the ice cap. • 8:00: The rolligon principle was studied. • 8:17: Wanigans served as living quarters. • 8:41: The test group reached their final location. • 9:15: Food and living conditions were managed for comfort. • 9:41: Diesel fuel drums were used for test loads. • 10:08: Delicate instruments were mounted on test sleds. • 10:20: Tractors and sleds were tested under various conditions. • 11:11: Draw bar resistance and maneuverability were tested. • 12:17: The Snowshoe and snowcat were subjected to speed tests. • 12:27-: Vehicles underwent draw bar pull tests. • 13:03: Frequent runner changes were facilitated by using an A-frame. • 13:23: Welding repairs • 13:45: LField parties ascended the ice cap. • 14:09: Field parties moved up the ice ramp. • 14:23: Scientific studies were conducted on the ice and snow. • 14:51: Scientists from leading universities participated. • 15:07: Navigation was crucial for scientific and operational activities. • 15:24: Theodolites were used for navigation and surveying. • 15:52: Bamboo pylon markers. • 16:20: Seismic shots determined the depth of the bedrock. • 17:03-: Pits dug to study snow characteristics. • 17:21: Thermometers recorded snow temperatures. • 17:45: Density measurements . • 18:03: Weather observations • 18:29: Wind velocity and direction were recorded. • 18:57: Vehicles were positioned to avoid snow drifts. • 19:21: Radio communication was essential for resupply operations. • 20:08: Supplies and mail were dropped by air. • 21:18: Vehicles refueled. • 21:40: The light field party spent 28 days on the ice cap. • 22:04: Geological studies were conducted within a 200-mile range. • 22:17: A base camp was set up • 22:41: Geologists conducted fieldwork. • 23:09: Meltwater streams presented a problem for surface movement. • 23:31: Geological materials were collected • 24:05: Mineral deposits were discovered. • 24:14: A complete survey and mapping were accomplished. • 24:49: Ice cliffs presented obstacles to vehicle movement. • 25:10-: Knowledge gained from studies will aid future exploration. • 25:34: The party prepared for the return journey. • 25:57: The research and testing mission was successfully completed. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzWnNArOggA Mirrored from Periscope Film (https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm) Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:24:23 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/41a6fee9-7f57-42d0-a5fc-5db4f1af2e31.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/05fac329-055e-40fe-b930-fd11443f4b08 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.