Operation Deep Freeze
Maintainers attach heater hoses to the engines of a C-17 Globemaster III Aug. 25, 2007 at Pegasus White Ice Runway, Antarctica during an Operation Deep Freeze winter fly-in mission. Because of the extreme temperatures, heaters are used on the aircraft to prevent maintenance problems and keep it functioning properly upon engine start-up. A C-17 and 31 Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash. are conducting the annual winter fly-in augmentation of scientist, support personnel, food and equipment for the U.S. Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. WinFly is the opening of the first flights to McMurdo station, which closed for the austral winter in Feb. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)