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Monday, August 18, 2014

Ice Ops Heat Up



The 2014/15 United States Antarctic Program (USAP) is beginning to to heat up with the arrival of United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 10-0217 from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington State, touching down at Christchurch lunch time today from Hickam as "Reach 5E5".  The first flights to McMurdo Station since March are scheduled to arrive this month preparing the way for the austral summer field season which officially begins on 29 September. 

More than 200 support personnel are scheduled to arrive at McMurdo between 20-22 August during the annual flight operation known as Winfly, for winter fly-in.  

Both the US Air Force and the Australian Antarctic Division will carry people form Christchurch to McMurdo operating to the permanent, hard ice runway located at Pegasus Field, roughly 14 miles from McMurdo. 

A total of five flights are scheduled for Winfly, including a night-vision goggle mission by the USAF that will delivery cargo only.  

10-0217 made several trips to the ice during October/November 2013. 



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