A Coast Guard flight mechanic calls out the distance in his MH-65 Dolphin helicopter to crew on Kodiak Island as he prepares for an ice landing. These landings, rare and inherently dangerous, require skis to be installed to keep the helicopter’s landing gear from settling in the snow. They demand testing the strength of the ice before attempting. Blowing snow can cause loss of all visual reference with the ground, adding further difficulties to an already complex maneuver. US Coast Guard Art Program 2017 Collection, Ob ID# 201703, "Snow landing," Robert Blevins, watercolor, 12 x 19
