The LC-130H Skibird polar transport is largest tactical aircraft in the world capable of landing on snow and ice using skis.
On Mar. 5, 2025, an LC-130H Hercules of the 109th Airlift Wing successfully landed on a frozen lake during Operation Nanook-Nunalivut in Inuvik, Canada, marking the first time in the history of the New York Air National Guard unit, its specialised variant of the Hercules touched down on fresh water ice.
Freshwater ice is frozen water that contains little to no salt, as opposed to sea ice, which forms from saltwater. Typically, freshwater ice forms in rivers, lakes, ponds, and glaciers when temperatures drop below freezing point.
The LC-130H is a specialized variant of the C-130 Hercules equipped with ski landing gear for take-off and landing on snow runways in the high latitudes. Only 10 operational LC-130s are currently in service with the U.S. Air Force, all operated by the 109th Airlift Wing since the specialized aircraft were first fielded in 1984. The LC-130 is the only ski-equipped aircraft in the U.S. military capable of conducting large-scale airlift missions in Antarctica, the Arctic, and other extreme cold-weather environments.
Landing LC-130s on freshwater ice it’s a tactical advantage: using frozen lakes as landing zones means reaching places conventional aircraft never could, giving the military greater flexibility in Arctic and remote operations.
According to the U.S. Air Force, Maj. Joseph Shanahan, the ski landing control officer, and his team searched over 25,000 miles of ice along the Northwest Territories coast, only to find that none of it met the requirements necessary for an LC-130 landing. The mission could have stalled there, but instead, they adapted, shifting their focus inland and expanding their search to frozen lakes in the region. That’s when they found Parsons Lake.
Once the location was identified, the Polar Camp Skiway Team (PCST), made up of airmen from the 109th, 123rd, and 133rd Airlift Wings, set up their Arctic camp and got to work.
“With the 123rd Kentucky and 133rd Minnesota Contingency Response Team bringing expertise in flagging and surveying, and the 109th PCST contributing specialized Arctic skills, we were able to build the ski landing area in one day,” said Master Sgt. Nick Cross, a PCST member.
But one day of work wasn’t the end of it. Keeping the landing area operational required constant grooming, a task that lasted from sunrise to sunset every day. Master Sgt. Casey Preyer-Blakney, another PCST member, emphasized the effort involved: “We were grooming the ski landing area from sunrise to sunset every day to ensure it was ready for the LC-130 to land.”
The PCST had assistance from the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) CC-138 Twin Otter aircraft from 440 Transport Squadron; CH-147F Chinook helicopters from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron; CH-146 Griffon helicopters from 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron and 417th Combat Support Squadron.
These aircraft played a crucial role in moving supplies and personnel to the Arctic camp. Seventeen flights were needed to transport a total of 23,000 pounds of cargo and personnel to the site, ensuring that the skiway was ready when it came time for the LC-130 to land.
On their end, the 109th Airlift Wing flew eight missions during the operation, including critical resupply runs and transporting spare parts for the CC-138 Twin Otter from Yellowknife to Inuvik.
“The service members participating in this operation excel in the toughest conditions, adapting quickly to changing plans and unpredictable weather,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Sala, the 109th deployed commander.
“From repairing planes in freezing temperatures to testing ice under relentless pressure, they push forward with determination—no mission is left incomplete.”
It’s not just about individual success—it’s about joint cooperation. The ability of American and Canadian forces to work seamlessly together is what makes these operations possible.
“We come together and operate to learn from each other’s abilities and find ways to combine our knowledge to make a stronger force,” said Lt. Col. Steve Thompson, the Air Task Force Commander of Operation Nanook-Nunalivut from 440 Transport Squadron. “The interoperability between the Twin Otter and LC-130 Hercules in the past has proven to be a very successful combination, and we look forward to working together again in the future.”
Despite recent tensions between the U.S. and Canada following President Trump’s controversial remarks about annexation and the ensuing trade disputes, the successful collaboration between the U.S. Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing and the Royal Canadian Air Force during Operation Nanook-Nunalivut underscores the enduring strength of military partnerships. Whether this kind of joint drill will be organized in the future as well remains to be seen.
