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Show KUtcp - December 14, 2000 J Photo by Staff Sgt. Matt Lohr ji The base tree was lit and Santa arrived to distribute gifts and visit with the children. Yep. The Christmas season has been well and truly launched. by Mary Galbraith Hilltop Times staff Team Hill is putting a plan in place to safely and quickly usher Santa through the area on Christmas Eve. Weather Operations, the 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron, 4th Fighter Squadron and Security Forces are just of few of the base organizations helping Santas approach go off smoothly. Tech. Sgt. Scott OBrien, a base weather forecaster, said the bases average December low is about 25, with a high around 36. Hill normally receives about 16 inches of snow during the month (which can cause slippery landings on rooftops and requires extra caution). Santa may face other weather conditions as he prepares presents here. There could be turbulence up there at reindeer level, which could be bumpy, OBrien said. Hell have to wear his seatbelt and tie down the presents so they dont bounce out of the sled. OBrien added once Santa is within 120 miles, theyre able to pick him up on radar at the weather station and Rudolphs red nose is easily identified. In the event Northern Utah has a white Christmas, Hills pilots will ensure Santa reaches the base housing area. Were going to fax him some copies of approach plates and our instrument approaches in case the weather is bad so he has a means of getting through it, said Capt. Steve Harrold, a pilot in the 4th Fighter Squadron. Harrold said, depending on Utah conditions, Santa may experience icing on his reins, making it difficult to direct reindeer. While there isnt an onboard tracking system on his sled, Rudolph has safely flown through the area during previous years inclement weather and is somewhat familiar with the Hill approach pattern. His bright nose also helps navigation through snow and inversion conditions. In addition to poor flying conditions, jetstream winds and altitude may also slow Santas approach. The pilot suggests he avoid the mountains to the east as much as possible (to prevent reindeer from quickly tiring at the high altitudes). to-deliv- er Hill AFB I Harrold added Santa regularly coordinates with Salt Lake International Airport on his approach so there arent air space conflicts. Capt Sherwood Olson, a member of the 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron, said Santa usually flies in using visual flight rules on an azimuth of zero, zero, zero. Based on previous years, the squadron has been able to plot his direct approach to Hill (see graph). Once Santa is identified, the squadron plans to notify to be on the lookout for a low altitude object. base F-1-6s weather otfoovuvji'iiairfield-ops.iillLEf.niHosiii'jo- 5-d- ay i VI 4 ing more difficult to detect on radar thanks to the latest in St.-Etechnology (similar to our Stealth technology). Once Santa reaches base gates, hes waved on. According to Pass and Registration NCOIC Master Sgt. Mark Harion, Rudolph is asked to dim his nose, as not to blind entry controllers and Col. Jeff Dodson, 75th Support Group commander, granted Santa a special decal this year to speed his entry onto the base. lf at 1i v possibly being led by reindeer. He added Santa is becom- V T ''I y Vi V. tS ' f 1 n 2" 34s4High Cloudy with snow i t-- ow 34s High 25s Lc Cloudy, slight chance i snow v. J 36s High 27s Low 34s High 26s Low 30s High 26B Low Cloudy Mostly cloudy with snow- - showers Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers |