Operation Deep Freeze main body season begins

by Sandra Pishner
446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/29/2014 - MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- Operation Deep Freeze main body season begins this week, as Airmen from the 446th and 62nd Airlift Wings here continue to provide airlift support to the National Science Foundation's efforts in Antarctica.

Sharing airlift duties with active duty Airmen are eight reservists from te 446th AW.

The team of Airmen from McChord completed WinFly with a new twist this year.  In addition to the cargo carried directly from McChord, 27 NSF personnel departed from McChord to Christchurch, New Zealand.

"Normally the NSF members are already in place at Christchurch," said Senior Master Sgt. Derek Bryant, 446th Operations Group. "This task could not have happened successfully without the help of our McChord passenger terminal folks, fleet services (meals) folks, transportation and base security."

Using Christchurch International Airport, as the base of operations, the mission of WinFly is to deliver advance teams and cargo to the remote research center in preparation for the main season of Operation Deep Freeze.

WinFly had three missions total this year, with the last mission flown was flown with night vision goggles.

"This training mission was essential to the Deep Freeze program, as several pilots from the active duty and reserve gained initial NVG Deep Freeze training as well as recurrent training for others.

Among the cargo expected to be carried by a McChord C-17 to McMurdo Station, Antarctica is a large track vehicle weighing in at 68,000 pounds. 

"That is being transported from McChord to Christchurch and a follow on to McMurdo station; this vehicle type is specific for the terrain and conditions at McMurdo.  The certifications were just completed to validate the transportation of this vehicle on the C-17," said Bryant.

These operations are unlike any other U.S. military operations and present unique challenges for all members involved.

Weather and visibility are the two major factors which increase the difficulty of the mission, causing a two-day delay at one point in the WinFly period.

McChord Field has participated in ODF since 1983 using the C-141B Starlifter. The 446th AW got involved in 1995. The first C-17 trial for use to support ODF was Oct. 15, 1999.

ODF is divided into three seasons, WinFly, Main Body and Winter. It involves active duty and Reserve C-17 support from McChord, LC-130 support from the New York Air National Guard and other aircraft necessary to support the mission; U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers and the U.S. Navy Cargo Handling Battalion One to provide critical port services at McMurdo Station.

The next Operation Deep Freeze rotation departs McChord on Oct. 9.