The Aviation Historical Society of NZ Newsletter of July-August 1981 records the following interesting fact:
The USAF made a winter supply drop to men at McMurdo and the South Pole on 22 June using C-141B 66-0128 (a "stretched" Starlifter). Although winter supplies had been dropped at McMurdo before, this was the first time that the South Pole had been included, a move made possible by air-to-air refuelling of the Starlifter on its way south. This task was carried out by three KC-135As which left Auckland an hour ahead of the Starlifter leaving Christchurch to enable them to be on station when required. It was necessary for them to use Auckland because of its longer runway, a move that resulted in a number of complaints from nearby residents about the noise of their taking-off at 3.00am.
This was the first Antarctic supply drop made from the "petal" doors at the rear of the Starlifter, earlier drops having been made out its side doors, and the crew were worried that the extreme cold may stop the hydraulic system working. This would prevent the doors from being closed agai, in which case it would turn back from McMurdo and not go on to the South Pole. However, all went well and the rear doors closed properly. The Starlifter then carried on to the Pole where the drops were made out of the side doors. All pallets, 26 at McMurdo and 6 at the Pole, landed undamaged. Being mid-winter it was pitch dark at both drop zones but these were well lit on the ground and the weather was perfect, with clear skies and light winds.
