CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand -- Gen. Kevin Schneider, commander of Pacific Air Forces and Chief Master Sgt. Katie McCool Pacific Air Forces command chief, recently visited Antarctica and Christchurch, New Zealand recently, where they toured U.S. Air Force units with Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica (JTF-SFA).
JTF-SFA coordinates strategic inter-theater airlift, tactical deep field support, aeromedical evacuation support, search and rescue response, sealift, seaport access, bulk fuel supply logistics, port cargo handling and transportation requirements. One of the primary objectives of the visit was to foster a deeper understanding of U.S. Air Force resourcing needs for this mission in New Zealand.
“Whether it’s on the ground in Antarctica or in a high stakes combat scenario, we’re building relationships that ensure we’re prepared for anything,” Schneider noted. “This partnership is about more than just military cooperation; it’s about ensuring that we can work together to maintain security and peace in a rapidly changing world.”
The unique capability of the U.S. Air Force’s LC-130 aircraft, combined with the geographical location of New Zealand, have proven essential for supporting operations in the harsh conditions of Antarctica. Both nations contribute heavily to the mission, leveraging their combined resources to ensure the safe and successful transport of personnel and supplies to remote research stations.
The value of this partnership is demonstrated through operations such as Operation Deep Freeze (ODF). ODF is a joint service, inter-agency support for the National Science Foundation (NSF), which manages the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). JTF-SFA provides Department of Defense support to the NSF and the USAP through ODF.
The collaboration between the two nations continues to grow through regular exercises and joint operations. This partnership ensures that both the U.S. and New Zealand forces are prepared for a wide range of contingencies, from humanitarian aid to responding to military threats. Exercises like Resolute Force Pacific 2025, a large mobility and tactical aircraft exercise, will provide both forces the opportunity to enhance their capabilities and reinforce their ability to respond as a unified force.