On 21 October 1956, a US Air Force C‑124 landed in Antarctica after a 12½-hour flight from Christchurch, New Zealand initiating the Air Force’s participation in one of its longest running missions. Today, that mission is carried on primarily by US Air Force C17 Globemaster III’s manned by both active and reserve flight crews of the US Air Force, and the LC-130 Skiers of the New York Air National Guard.
The “Spirit of Antarctica” celebrates the 65th anniversary of that flight by paying homage to all the Active, Reserve and National Guard flight crews who have participated, and celebrates all who have come to the Ice seeking adventure and supporting Science in one of the harshest environments on earth.
United States civilian and scientific operations on the Antarctic continent are overseen by the United States Antarctic Program as well as the National Science Foundation. Military support missions flown from Christchurch International Airport are conducted during the Antarctic summer (late September to early March) each year by The 109th Airlift Wing Scotia New York. The Ski equipped LC-130 Hercules is the backbone of Operation Deep Freeze. LC-130 Hercules and C17 Globemaster III’s aircraft provide the logistical movement of cargo to remote operating locations on the continent. These aircraft are augmented by the United States Coast Guard icebreaker USCGC Polar Star, the Air Force Materiel Command, and the Military Sealift Command. The United States Air Force 13th Air Expeditionary Group deploys to Christchurch, New Zealand during the operational season.
This new “Antarctica C-17 Operation Deep Freeze“ poster artwork (Below) is dedicated to all the men and women who serve and support Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica.
Credit to Squadron Posters Artist Max Shirkov and a special thank you to Art Gordon.
See all of our “Operation Deep Freeze” artwork HERE