Iditarod Race First Hand: Dogs, Airplanes and 1,000 Miles
Kimberly HennemanMarch 03, 2021
Restored Beaver
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
Regal Air out of Anchorage flies tourists in this beautifully restored Beaver.
Plane Parking
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
The view of Puntilla Lake at the Rainy Pass checkpoint (the 4th of the race) from the lodge loaned to Iditarod volunteers. This is during the peak of checkpoint activity and tourist air operations. The actual sled trail is between the arch and the planes.
Curtiss-Wright C-46
Heavier, interior sleds are changed out for faster, lighter sleds at Unalakleet where they wait for air shipment back to Anchorage. In the background is a Curtiss-Wright C-46 from Everts Air Cargo, a staple cargo and passenger carrier for Alaska.
Flying Between Checkpoints
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
One of the most important aviation jobs during Iditarod is returning dogs that are removed from teams due to training strategies or fatigue. Pilot members of the Iditarod Air Force fly dogs between small checkpoints and hubs in personal airplanes. These two dogs get the window seats into McGrath.
Northern Air Cargo 737
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
Iditarod returning dogs in their kennels are loaded into a Northern Air Cargo 737 for a quick flight back to Anchorage and to the mushers’ waiting handlers.
Bush Plane Transport
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
Volunteers and veterinarians are flown around commercially to hubs where they are then moved via smaller bush planes to other checkpoints.
Colorful Maule
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
A returning dog from a small checkpoint is loaded up and waiting for her personal flight in a very uniquely painted Maule.
Even Dogs Need Paperwork
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
Dogs returning to Anchorage wait for their paperwork and their rows to be called for boarding.
Window Seat Reserved
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
A dog returning to Anchorage gets the window seat.
Rainy Pass Checkpoint
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
Iditarod Veteran musher Aliy Zirkle departs Rainy Pass checkpoint. The edge of the landing strip is marked out behind her with pine boughs.
On Final
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
On final into Nome, Alaska.
Lake Hood
Lake Hood in Anchorage is one of the largest seaplane (or skiplane in winter) bases in the world. Dogs returning to Anchorage in small, bush Iditarod Air Force aircraft fly in via this base and are unloaded at the back of the headquarters hotel on the lake.
Flying In To Watch
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
General aviation aircraft flying into Rainy Pass by private owners following the race. They park on the side of Puntilla Lake and Rainy Pass Lodge to make room for other aviation parking and the dog teams.
Repairs Anywhere
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
Flying in the Alaskan bush also means having the ability to make repairs in unusual situations.
Iditarod Air Force
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
The Iditarod Air Force receives a special waiver from the FAA during the time of the race so it can perform its Iditarod duties. They even have their own logo designed by well-known Iditarod artist, John Van Zyle.
Under the Aurora
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
Iditarod Air Force aircraft on the Innoko River sit under the Aurora.
Iditarod Logistics
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
Iditarod Air Force logistics is staffed by experienced dispatchers who track the food, supplies, staff and veterinary needs of all the checkpoints.
Seaplane Base Plus…
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
Lake Hood seaplane base is home to more than airplanes.
Iditarod Life at Puntilla Lake
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
The Rainy Pass checkpoint and Puntilla Lake.
End of Race
Photo credit: Kimberly Henneman
The conclusion of the Iditarod: Laura Neese crossing the finish line in Nome.
The 49th Iditarod trail sled dog race commences on March 6 and covers about 1,000 miles of Alaska. Kimberly Henneman, who has been an Iditarod Trail and checkpoint senior veterinarian for nine years, shows scenes from the races and how the Iditarod Air Force is crucial to this event. This fleet of privately owned planes flown by volunteers transport dog food, mushers’ supplies, veterinarians and race officials around the trail.
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