An LC-130 Hercules ‘Skibird’ takes off for it's mission to Antarctica from Stratton Air National Guard Base in support of Operation Deep Freeze on Oct. 14. The 109th Airlift Wing will be deployed from October 2011 through March 2012. Photo by Master Sgt. Willie Gizara, 109th Airlift Wing.
Heading Back for 23rd Antarctic Freeze Mission Guard Times Staff STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE - The first of seven ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft belonging to the 109th Airlift Wing departed here Oct. 14 for its ultimate destination: McMurdo Station base camp, Antarctica. The first LC-130 took off bound for California, the first stop of five on a 10,000-mile-long trip to McMurdo Station. This departure marked the 23rd time that the 109th has supported the National Science Foundation in Antarctica for what is known as Operation Deep Freeze. Deep Freeze is a joint service, interagency activity that supports the National Science Foundation, which manages the U.S. Antarctic Program. The airlift part of Operation Fall 2011
Deep Freeze operates from two primary locations with C-17s situated at Christchurch, New Zealand and LC-130 Hercules forward based at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, beginning in late October, which is the earliest time of the season that the aircraft can land on the ice cap. The 109th will fly approximately 400 missions, or about seven per day, 12 hours a day, six days a week, to seven science and research stations on the ice. In all, they will haul approximately 12 million pounds of fuel, cargo and people across the polar ice cap. Airmen from the 109th receive specialized winter survival training before heading to the South Pole.
Air crew from the 109th Airlift Wing answer questions from the local media about their mission to Antarctica Oct. 14. From left are Maj. Blair Herdrick, Maj. Nate Morgan, Lt. Col. Chris Sander and Master Sgt. Mike Spiak. Airmen with the 109th Airlift Wing deploy to Antarctica each year in support of the U.S. Antarctica Program. Photo by Master Sgt. Willie Gizara, 109th Airlift Wing.
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