Joint effort key to success in Deep Freeze

  • Published
  • By Capt. Genieve David
  • JTF Support Forces Antarctica Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Operation Deep Freeze recently concluded its 52nd season of air and sea operations. 

The Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica ODF is a unique 13th Air Force-led joint and total force mission which has supported the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Antarctic Program since 1955.

The 2007-2008 season involved active-duty and Reserve C-17 Globemaster III support from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings, McChord Air Force Base, Wash; LC-130 Hercules support from the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, U.S., the U.S. Navy's Cargo Handling Battalion One, Williamsburg, Va., tanker and container ships from Military Sealift Command and a U.S. Army Pacific Regional Veterinary Command food inspector.

During the season, 58 C-17 missions were flown between Christchurch, New Zealand and McMurdo Station, Antarctica, transporting 5,651 passengers and more than 5.6 million pounds of cargo. Ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft flew 383 missions ferrying nearly 2,000 passengers and more than 12.6 million total cargo pounds from McMurdo Station to the South Pole and other research posts throughout Antarctica.

Annually, a tanker and a container ship from the Navy's Military Sealift Command make the journey through icy waters to support Operation Deep Freeze. This year, vessels offloaded more than 11 million pounds of cargo, 6 millions gallons of fuel providing critical supplies and port services at McMurdo Station and other operating areas.

"We've wrapped up another successful ODF season, and I couldn't be prouder of everyone's efforts," said Lt. Gen. Loyd "Chip" Utterback, 13th Air Force and JTF-SFA ODF commander. "From airdropping engine parts, to an ice-bound merchant vessel, to evacuating patients and delivering critical supplies to enable scientific research to better the world, this season was, in a word-- impressive."

The U.S. Navy ran the first ODF mission for exploration and scientific research and began supporting the National Science Foundation's research in Antarctica in 1959. The operation has evolved into a huge logistical effort, moving passengers and cargo for the NSF's research facilities in Antarctica.

ODF is unlike any other U.S. military operation and is one of the most demanding peacetime missions due to the extreme adversity of the environment and the remoteness of Antarctica.

"Our outstanding joint and total force team continues to enhance how we do the JTF's business to support NSF and USAP scientific research programs in an austere and unforgiving environment," General Utterback said.

Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, most inhospitable continent on the globe, and the operation provides a challenging opportunity to demonstrate the reach and flexibility of airpower, the capabilities of the joint force and the integrated support of Active duty, Guard and Reserve military personnel.