Mission managers say they still do not know what caused the damage, but a spacewalk demonstration of cleaning techniques during this mission gave them confidence that they can replace bearings, clean up the shavings and lubricate the joint.
The eight countries with territory inside the Arctic Circle (see map) settled disputes among themselves either on the basis of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea or through the Arctic Council, originally a scientific forum which in 2011-13 sitsed its first treaties, on search and rescue missions and cleaning up oil spills.
Clean what needs cleaning.
In early April, Sebourn was promoted to radiation decontamination officer, issued with a handheld radiation device, Tyvek suit and respirator, and charged with cleaning up helicopters flying relief missions into the tsunami zone.
In charge of cleaning up the mess is Santa's son, Steve (Hugh Laurie), an alpha-male military type who presides over a crack team of 25,000 elves at Christmas mission control.
Yet leaders of both parties seem to be declaring mission accomplished when it comes to cleaning up Washington.
During the mission, Colonel Fossum tested methods for cleaning and lubricating the damaged right-side rotary joint.
On days that missions were flown, the crew was up at 2 a.m. preparing their aircraft, cleaning their guns, grabbing a quick breakfast, getting briefed on the impending mission.
The guys were doing what they normally did between missions: watching movies, reading e-mail, joking around, cleaning weapons.
With the rescue mission officially ending last night, efforts will now turn to cleaning up the area.
