Out Of The Deep Freeze

Photo by John Rossino

Operation Deep Freeze, the US military's support to science and research activities conducted by the US Antarctic Program, wrapped up another successful season on 30 March 2012. During the 2011-2012 season, crews flying six LC-130H Ski-Herk transports from the 109th Airlift Wing, Stratton ANGB, in Scotia, New York, carried out 359 missions between McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and eighteen inland Antarctic destinations, transporting more than seven million pounds of cargo and fuel and more than 1,600 passengers. The LC-130H crews were also called on to provide aerial reconnaissance and communication links to a disabled Russian vessel, allowing for a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 crew to later airdrop three parcels on an ice floe next to the ailing ship.