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CLAXTON DZ |
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Ft. Richardson, Alaska
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Claxton Drop Zone (DZ) is no more. In the 1970's it was replaced by a new DZ and LZ on the north end of Fort Richardson, north of Otter Lake, West of the Railroad Tracks, and east of the Eagle river. Called Malemute DZ/LZ, it is a large rectangular clearing in the trees similar to the DZ's found at Pope or Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, NC. The low level routes began at Elmendorf and at times used places like Fire Island, Soldotna, Clam Gulch, Figure Eight Lake, Flathorn Lake, Skwentna, Wasilla, hay flats south of Palmer, Eklutna, North Peters Creek, Eagle River, and the rifle ranges on Ft. Richardson as check points. The slowdown would begin somewhere in the vicinity of Eklutna or Peters Creek with the five second warning given around the Ft. Richardson rifle ranges. Claxton was located east of Ft. Richardson between the Glenn highway and the Chugach mountains and south of the rifle ranges. |
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(Information supplied by Gene L. Ramsay, former Firebird Navigator) |
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-- Click on thumbnail photo to see larger version -- |
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After a formation briefing the Firebird crews would travel to Elmendorf's West Ramp for departure on a low level navigation route to Claxton DZ. (50K) Photo by Kenneth Morris, C-130 Crew Chief, May 1965. |
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Loading aircraft at Elmendorf AFB for PLADS drop on Claxton DZ, Ft. Richardson, Alaska. (86K) Photo by Gerry Harris, Firebird Navigator |
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C-130D-6 (70-487) enroute to Claxton DZ. (32K) Photo by Don Wilkerson, Firebird Pilot. |
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C-130D-6 (70-484) enroute Claxton and in three-ship formation. (53K) Photo by Nolan Bailey |
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Firebird C-130 on low level navigation route enroute to Claxton DZ. (72K) Photo by Roy Jared, Firebird Pilot circa 1971 |
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Three C-130's approach Claxton DZ to complete tactical training mission. Photo opportunity courtesy of DZO duty. (60K) Photo by Nolan Bailey, Firebird Pilot, circa 1966 |
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Combat Control Team member throws smoke for the drop. (138K) Photo by Nolan Bailey, Firebird Pilot, circa 1966 |
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Combat Control Team member throws smoke for the drop. (100K) Photo by Nolan Bailey, Firebird Pilot, circa 1965-1966 |
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Jumpers away (21K) Photo by Nolan Bailey, Firebird Pilot, circa 1965-66 |
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Dropping in "traffic." (32K) Photo by Nolan Bailey, circa 1965-66 |
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Green light. (34K) Photo by Gary Schmidt, Firebird Pilot, circa 1965-66 |
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Neither snow, nor clouds, nor rain, could keep the Firebirds from their "appointed rounds." (36K) Photograph by Gary Schmidt, Firebird Pilot |
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On the snow at Claxton DZ. Note C-130D-6 in top right corner departing DZ. (73K) Photography by Nolan Bailey, Firebird Pilot |
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Chute released in reefed condition prior to PLADS drop. (41K) Photo by Gerry Harris. |
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Chute deployed behind aircraft in reefed condition. (73K) Photo by Gerry Harris, Firebird Navigator |
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PLADS load touching down on DZ. (65K) Photo by Gerry Harris, Firebird Navigator |
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Touchdown on Claxton. (60K) Photo by Nolan Bailey on Claxton, DZ, circa 1965-66 |
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