Let the Winter Storms Games Begin

Here's a whale statue in the Alaskan snow

Hello everyone!

It was a dark and cold Anchorage morning. The aircraft part that we ordered was delivered on schedule and our mechanic, Angel, was able to get us up and running.  He replaced the FMS CDU#2. Basically, that's a display which is very critical to the navigation of our Gulfstream IV aircraft. Without this part, we would not have been able to cross the Pacific Ocean and on to Japan. But thanks to Kevin and Angel!!! We are in business.

Angel fixing our FMS Control Display Unit

Gonzo with the first Alaskan sunlight

Winter Storms Crew ready to go

This is what an FMS Control Display Unit looks like

On take off, it was so clear, we were able to get a great view of Denali-which is the tallest mountain in North America.  It's almost 4 miles tall at 20,320 feet. After about 4 hours into the flight, we crossed the dateline and advanced from Thursday to Friday. We tested two dropsondes.

When we arrived into Japan, there was Mt. Fuji-ready to greet us.  It was a wonderful welcome!!

Well, we are all very jet lagged and hungry so off to eat some sushi and then catch up on some ZZZZ's. More to come

Flight Meteorologist Jess Williams 

Crew Chief Gabe Defeo at the TDR station

The wing tip as seen through the cabin at 43000 feet

The beautiful Chugach Mountains of Alaska

Brushing up on our Japanese

Angel's first dropsonde

Mt. Fuji appearing in the faint distance

Ahhh Finally made it to Yokota, Japan

Another photo of Mt. Fuji with the Tokyo landscape