Raven Camp is a seasonal installation that serves as a training facility for the New York Air National Guard (ANG) 109th Air Wing during Greenland’s summer months. The 109th Air Wing provides aircraft support to the National Science Foundation in Greenland and Antarctica, and Raven Camp is the primary training site for these polar operations.
The ANG uses the training facility for drills on prepared snow runway landings, open snow landings, and for teaching arctic survival skills. The location and elevation of Raven Camp are ideal for training. The camp is at a reasonable distance (40- minute one-way flight) from the Kangerlussuaq operations hub, and at an altitude that presents educational conditions but does not require supplemental oxygen for flight crews.
Raven Camp is also located near the DYE-2 Radar Site. DYE 2 was one of four stations in Greenland that made up part of the distant early warning (DEW) line during the Cold War. The purpose of the DEW line was for U.S. continental air defense. The DYE 2 site was evacuated in 1988 but remains on the ice sheet.
Raven Camp is staffed by two Battelle-ARO personnel seasonally (April-August) whose primary role is to maintain the skiway and provide communications to aircraft. Their presence is leveraged to support science projects in the vicinity of Raven Camp and has supported various snowmobile traverse platforms having launched from the site. Raven is beneficial for campaign science groups, as its location and skiway offers easy access for large cargo projects, and Raven does not have the emissions constraints (due to atmospheric science) to which Summit Station must adhere. Though staff are present to assist with ANG flight operations, the camp is not designed or staffed to provide the level of support that Summit Station does. Thus most groups who travel through Raven Camp must be prepared to be self-sufficient.
Please contact your science PM or the Greenland Operations Manager for further information.
