An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Oct. 24, 2019

109th Airlift Wing to support science missions in Antarctica

By Master Sgt. Jaclyn Lyons New York National Guard

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SCOTIA, N.Y – The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing launches its 32nd year of support of U.S. Antarctic Program research Oct. 28, when the first of five LC-130 "Skibird" aircraft depart on the weeklong trip to the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station.

The 109th Airlift Wing flies the largest ski-equipped aircraft in the world, which are capable of landing on ice or snow and transport people, equipment and supplies to stations across the continent. The National Science Foundation manages the Antarctic Program.

The 109th Airlift Wing provides support to the Antarctic Program as part of Operation Deep Freeze. The military's Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica employs sealift and airlift to deliver supplies and personnel to Antarctica.

During the 2019-2020 support season, which runs through February 2020 for the 109th Airlift Wing, about 500 Airmen are expected to deploy. Some 120 of them will be "on the ice" at any one time. The wing anticipates conducting 160 missions, included logistical support for research in West Antarctica. Scientists are studying ice loss in glaciers in that section of the continent.

"The 2019-2020 Operation Deep Freeze season marks the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic treaty and the 32nd year that the 109th has supported this mission," said Col. Michele Kilgore, 109th Airlift Wing commander. "Operating in extreme weather is no easy task. Our 109th Airlift Wing Airmen are experts and continually rise to complete the mission in the most efficient and safest way."

During the 2018-2019 season, 109th Airmen completed 242 missions within Antarctica.

The 109th Airlift Wing transported 2,100 researchers and support staff plus about 2.8 million pounds of cargo and 1.8 million pounds of fuel to research stations across the continent.

During the 2018-2019 support season, scientists launched the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration in West Antarctica. This is a project to research one of the most unstable glaciers in Antarctica. Supporting this project required a significant logistics effort by the Airmen of the 109th.

The unique capabilities of the ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft make it the only one of its kind in the U.S. military able to land on snow and ice. A foundational mission of the 109th Airlift Wing is to provide airlift within Antarctica, flying to various remote locations from McMurdo Station.

Crews will transport scientists, fuel, medical supplies and more throughout the season. Maintenance personnel will also endure harsh conditions while working outside with limited facilities to keep the aircraft ready.

 

 

Related Articles
Lt. Col. Zachery Powell cuts the ribbon at the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Medical ribbon cutting ceremony April 17, 2025, at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, to mark the opening of a new Medical Training Facility. The building, which provides laboratories, exam rooms, administrative areas, classrooms, record storage, and mobility-training storage for the 124th Fighter Wing’s 124th Medical Group, was completed in March 2025.
Idaho Air National Guard Opens Medical Training Facility
By Staff Sgt. Jadyn Eisenbrandt  | April 18, 2025
GOWEN FIELD, Idaho —The Idaho Air National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday to mark the opening of a new Medical Training Facility on Gowen Field for the 124th Fighter Wing.The building, which provides...

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Steven Lucas, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter standardization instructor with F Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, performs rescue hoist operations aboard a Black Hawk in collaboration with the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, April 9, 2025. MD-HART is made up of firefighters who routinely train with the Maryland Army Guard in preparation for response efforts during the hurricane season, tropical storms, and other emergency situations.
Maryland National Guard conducts rescue hoist training with Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team
By Staff Sgt. Amber Peck, | April 18, 2025
EDGEWOOD, Md. — Soldiers with the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, Maryland Army National Guard conducted rescue hoist training with the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, April 9...

Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are honored during a deployment ceremony at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, April 13, 2025. Approximately 700 Soldiers are deploying in support of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, where they will provide security and support operations.
La. Guard’s ‘Tiger Brigade’ holds deployment ceremony for overseas mission
By Louisiana National Guard | April 18, 2025
PINEVILLE, La. - About 700 Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, known as the “Tiger Brigade,” were honored last week during a deployment ceremony.The Guardsmen are deploying to...