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60th Anniversary of Operation DEEP FREEZE concludes

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III sits at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, during a previous iteration of Operation DEEP FREEZE, the Department of Defense's support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation. This year marked the 60th Anniversary of the operation. (Courtesy photo)

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60th Anniversary of Operation DEEP FREEZE concludes

A U.S. Air Force LC-130 Hercules from the 109th Airlift Wing with the New York Air National Guard, sits on the ramp at Christchurch, New Zealand, Jan. 13, 2016, during Operation DEEP FREEZE, the Department of Defense's support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation. This year marked the 60th Anniversary of the operation. (Courtesy photo)

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Antarctic medical evacuation

Responding to a short-notice request from the National Science Foundation, a C-17 Globemaster III crew from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, alongside Aeromedical Evacuation and Critical Care Air Transport Team Airmen, safely evacuated an ailing contractor from McMurdo Station, Antarctica Apr. 22. After the C-17 safely landed at McMurdo Station, there was an exceptionally fast 35-minute ground time in which the patient was transferred to the aircraft. The patient received in-air medical care from the AE and CCAT crews aboard the C-17. (Photo provided by Joint Task Force - Support Forces Antarctica)

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It's cold out here!

Chief Master Sgt. Paul Weseloh stands by the South Pole during his visit to Antarctica last Thanksgiving. Chief Weseloh was there visiting personnel supporting Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Providing support to the U.S. Antarctic Program

Col. Ron Smith, Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica, explains the unique and ongoing mission of Operation DEEP FREEZE to New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Mr. Paul Hargreaves, Chairman, Antarctica Programs New Zealand, who were in Antarctica for the 50th anniversary of Scott Base. The 13th Air Force-led JTF-SFA, Operation Deep Freeze, is the U.S. military’s support of the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Antarctic Program. ODF is the name given to operational and logistic support conducted by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard since 1955.

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Strange landscape

ANTARCTICA- A group of Emperor Penguins rest as the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea enjoys its first "ice liberty." The Polar Sea is in Antarctica as part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze 2007, clearing a navigable channel for supply ships to get needed equipment and goods to scientists working in McMurdo. (US Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin J. Neff)

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"Ice liberty" at Antarctica

ANTARCTICA- The crew from the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea enjoys its first "ice liberty," taking photos of the landscape and playing in the snow. The Polar Sea is in Antarctica as part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica (US Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin J. Neff)

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Port call at McMurdo, Antarctica

MCMURDO, ANTARCTICA (Jan. 10, 2007)- The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea moored up to the "ice pier" at McMurdo Station today. The Polar Sea is on a six-month deployment as part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze 2007, clearing a navigable channel for supply ships to get needed equipment and goods to scientists working in McMurdo. The Polar Sea made a port call to McMurdo to refuel and take on supplies for the crew. This is the first port call for the Sea since leaving Sydney, Australia on December 23, 2006. (US Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin J. Neff)

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Docking at McMurdo ice pier

MCMURDO, ANTARCTICA (Jan. 10, 2007)- Seaman Sam Snippa throws over the heaving line to put a line on the "ice pier" at McMurdo Station. The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea made a port call to McMurdo to refuel and resupply needed items. The Polar Sea is on a six-month deployment as a part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze 2007, clearing a navigable channel for supply ships to get needed equipment and goods to scientists working in McMurdo. (US Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer Kevin J. Neff)

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A well-deserved break

ANTARCTICA - The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea pauses from its ice-breaking duties while members of the National Science Foundation are aboard to meet with some of the senior officers. The Polar Sea is in Antarctica as part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze 2007, clearing a navigable channel for supply ships to get needed equipment and goods to scientists working in McMurdo. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Neff.

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Visitors on the ice

ANTARCTICA - A curious penguin comes by to investigate the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea as the ship takes a break from its ice-breaking duties. The Polar Sea is in Antarctica as part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze 2007, clearing a navigable channel for supply ships to get needed equipment and goods to scientists working in McMurdo. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Neff.

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Blue skies, volcanoes - a day's work

ANTARCTICA - The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea pauses from its ice-breaking duties in front of Mt. Erebus, while members of the National Science Foundation came aboard to meet with senior officers. The Polar Sea is in Antarctica as part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze 2007, clearing a navigable channel for supply ships to get needed equipment and goods to scientists working in McMurdo. U. S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Neff.

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Hard work in harsh weather

Antarctica - The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea plows through the ice shelf, and an Antarctic blizzard, in the Waddell Sea. As part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze 2007, the Polar Sea's mission is to clear a navigable channel to McMurdo, Antarctica for supply ships to get in with needed equipment and goods for scientists working there. U. S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Neff.

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First C-17 mission to South Pole a success

SOUTH POLE -- The first C-17 airdrop mission to the South Pole was completed Dec 19, that delivered approximately 70,000 pounds of supplies. The airdrop’s success is due to the combined effort of Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze, 62nd Airlift Wing, 446th Airlift Wing, 82nd Airborne Division, Royal New Zealand Defense Force, National Science Foundation and Raytheon Polar Services Corporation personnel. By validating the C-17 capability of conducting an airdrop at the Geographical South Pole, JTF-SFA Operation Deep Freeze demonstrated its ability to provide mid-winter emergency re-supply and flexible support to the National Science Foundation and U.S. Antarctica Program. Operation Deep Freeze is a unique joint and total force mission that first anchored U.S. National Policy in Antarctica in1955. (Photos by Forest Banks, Raytheon, Inc.)

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