- Harewood Terminal Team – OP Antarctica 2008/09
Loading cargo
By FLTLT Vaughan Jones
The departure of the last USAF aircraft from Christchurch on 25 February 2009 marked the end of the 2008/09 Harewood Terminal Team (HTT) season. OP Antarctica is the ongoing NZDF commitment providing air transport and logistical support on an annual basis to the NZ Antarctic programme and the NZDF contribution to the NZ/US logistic pool.
The HTT are responsible for: coordinating cargo, building freight into aircraft loads specific to the C17 or C130, load planning, loading and unloading the variety of aircraft as required. During the season the tri-Service team worked irregular times throughout the day and night, seven days a week to ensure the operation went smoothly.
During the 2008/09 season, the HTT facilitated 96 flights bound for Antarctica, made up of: 52 x C17 flights, 6 x RNZAF C130, 24 x LC130 (USAF ski Hercs), 6 x SAFAIR L100 and 8 x Airbus A319 flights. On these flights, 2,721 passengers were moved with 20,1671lbs of baggage.
The HTT built over 500 aircraft pallets of freight which amounted to 2,397,243lbs of freight and 81,894lbs of mail for the personnel stationed in Antarctica over the summer season.
View of the cargo hold
While there were no large singular projects that required special handling, there were several items that presented loading challenges for the HTT, for example specialized drilling equipment and a 70,000lb bulldozer; this highlights the requirement for a high levels of supervision and experience to be maintained within the HTT. All personnel involved in the HTT, whether permanently based at Air Movements Christchurch or a tri-Service augment to the team, have represented the NZDF with credit and demonstrated the ability of the three Services to work as one force.
The HTT is an annual operation in support of Op Antarctica and nominations will once again be called for in the middle of the year, so keep an eye on the advertised vacancies and you too can be part of this dynamic team involved with the Antarctic season.