Photo Release: Coast Guard conducts aviation missions in Arctic

NOAA affiliate Sonja Wolter measures greenhouse gases, methane and carbon monoxide during an Arctic Domain Awareness flight aboard Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules airplane April 8, 2014.

Wolter is part of NOAA's Global Monitoring Division's Carbon Cycle Group that monitors the Alaskan environment for signs of changing gas emissions that are predicted as the Arctic climate continues to warm.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Diana Honings.

Lt. Ken Gillespie prepares to launch a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules airplane from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 9, 2014.

The crew of the Hercules was preparing to run a joint training exercise with the Royal Canadian air force and U.S. Air Force north of Alaska.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Diana Honings.

A Royal Canadian air force C-188 Hornet fighter aircraft flies alongside a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules airplane during a joint exercise north of Alaska, April 9, 2014.

The Coast Guard conducted a joint training exercise with Royal Canadian air force and U.S. Air Force to practice escort and interception maneuvers.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Diana Honings.