By FLTLT Vaughan Jones
Operation Antarctica kicked off slightly later this year than last, with Spring Fly commencing early September. The USAF C-17 arrived to carry out five missions down to the Ice. As is the norm, these missions are preludes to the main season.
With such a small window for these missions to be achieved, weather has to play ‘ball’, and fortunately this year it did. With the increase in workload and tempo, several personnel from around the NZDF made up the Spring Fly Harewood Terminal Team (HTT). For Spring Fly, these personnel are usually air movements qualified, army move ops, or those with previous experience in the ‘yard’. This year there are no major projects going on but, in saying that, the Spring Fly team moved twice the amount of freight than the previous year. During the seven day time period, the HTT processed 250 passengers, built four T4 pallet trains, and sent 35 pallets, totalling 308,208lbs of freight south.
G17 being loaded
The fifth mission was a first of its kind, in that it was flown using night vision goggles (NVG). As with the time of year that Spring Fly operates, daylight hours down on Antarctica are limited. This was a success and is now a possibility again for next year. September 12 brought the arrival of the HTT main season personnel for Pre-Deployment Training. These pers come from various trades across the NZDF’s three Services. This year, the permanent staff will be joined by 18 personnel, to make up the HTT, which is three less than previous years. So there is a need to undertake specific training to make sure that everyone is of the same standard. Safety is always paramount within the ‘yard’, as we often work alongside outside agencies. This area is a main focus during PDT and obviously throughout the season. The 08/09 season structure will be different to former years, in that the C-17 will be departing back to the United States for most of December/January. Only the LC-130s of the Air National Guard and an RNZAF C-130 will be operating. This period of operations will, no doubt, prove interesting as it is vital in achieving the operational goals. Operation Antarctica is a big area of deployment and contribution from the NZDF. Based out of Christchurch, it is still internationally recognised. Not only do we work alongside the USAF, but also with civilian agencies such as Raytheon, Antarctic New Zealand and the National Science Foundation. Yet, nearly every year, there is a struggle for numbers!
Despite this year’s season making an unorthodox start, the C-17 has successfully undergone two of a scheduled five missions, with weather only pushing the programme out by a week. As always, it’s this factor that is unpredictable. It also highlights the need to remain flexible – something that goes hand in hand with the Antarctic season.