Down the Trail.

The Navy and Air Force are thinking about adopting a similar program, but for now are training with the Army Astro Rangers.

Dr. Handrickson thinks they should not venture too far from the trail, but find a likely spot to stand and wait for any unknown or rare animals to cross the open space.  In the jungle you can be three feet from a jaguar and not see him.

The men brought a few dogs with them.  Their keen hearing and sense of smell may pay off where the men's vision is limited by the vegetation.

The gold uniform of the US Army Astro Ranger.  Not good camouflage in the forest, but there are no forests in space, that we know of!

Something is looking out of the trees.

Astro Rangers in the Jungle

A team of US Army Astro Rangers, US Navy Sailors, and regular GI's a few civilians and Dr. Karl Handrickson are exploring the jungle of Panama.

Dr. Handrickson brought his granddaughter, Gretchen, with him, she lives in the Canal Zone.

Reports have come in of strange wildlife and ranchers finding the remains of cattle.

Dr. Handrickson is one of the most renowned scientists in the world.  He oversees much of the US Army Astro Ranger program.  The troops train in Panama to help them adapt to strange environments.

Soon men will walk on Mars, and they will face unknown dangers.  They brought one of the new Astro Bazookas, lighter weight, but a larger rocket than the standard bazooka.

This trip is part of the field test, and also a bit of exploration.