Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on its evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
both are arctic no?
It's mainly a matter of definition. The dictionary definition of arctic is: "of, relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region near it". When folks speak of an "ice wall" it's in reference to Antarctica. I'm just going with the technical definition of arctic and Antarctic.......
BTW I am a retired Coast Guard officer. I made 2 trips to the continent of Antarctica and 1 trip to the north slope region in the mid 70's. On my 2nd trip to Antarctica we did see what I now believe was either the ice wall or a massive tabular iceberg. The ship I sailed on was the USCGC Glacier.....
Have a prosperous New Year...
Thank you for educating me on this. My Dad did the Arctic Circle with the Navy, he doesnt say much about it though. I appreciate your observation on your trips to Antarctica. Was there any other oddities or things you noticed during that deployment? Why were you guys there anyways?
Thanks again, you have a prosperous New Year as well sir.
o7
FYI here's a general video on the history of the USCGC Glacier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgRR2w1RpmA.
Wow, one hop from Admiral Byrd! What an incredible ship.
We were taking part in "Operation Deepfreeze". The deployments were for about 6 months. We had a number of scientists on board conducting research. Our main mission was to clear the channel of ice into McMurdo Station in order for ship(s) to re-supply the research base there. I was also part of the Weddell Sea mission which is featured in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du2immnK25A. I was a young 22 year old Ensign serving as a Bridge Watch Officer. I have other stories but you would probably think I was BSing you...
Very interesting, did you get to speak to the scientists? Did you ever expect you would get sent to Antarctica? Was it ever talked about when you got back to the homeland? Did you need a clearance for this operation or did they just send you nonchalantly? Sorry for the bombardment but this knowledge and info should be spread for those with the ears to hear and the heart to listen.
If you are willing to share your stories, it would be a honor for my wife and I to read and discuss them. We are grateful for your service, and I served as well as a combat engineer in the Marines. No cool stories from me though, just a bunch of combat stories that most people avoid.