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 | March 9, 2020

NY Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing completes Antarctic mission

By Master Sgt. Christine Wood New York National Guard

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing wrapped up its 32nd season of support for American research in Antarctica as Airmen and aircraft began returning home from McMurdo Station Feb. 28.

From October through February, five LC-130s and 328 Airmen provided support to U.S. Antarctic research as part of Operation Deep Freeze, the military's support to the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Program.

The unit completed more than 200 missions within Antarctica by flying 2,097 passengers – including distinguished visitors, researchers and support staff – almost 3 million pounds of cargo and more than 640,000 pounds of fuel to research stations across the continent.

Col. Cliff Souza, an LC-130 pilot and the commander of the 109th Airlift Wing's 139th Operations Group, said the wing accomplished all its missions despite using only five LC-130s and flying no more than 1,500 hours.

"We worked closely with Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, the Antarctic support contractor and the National Science Foundation to optimize LC-130 flight hours and missions to ensure that scientists and their supplies got where they needed to be when they needed to be there," Souza said.

"This was the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty and the 32nd year that the 109th Airlift Wing has supported this Antarctic mission," said Col. Michele Kilgore, 109th Airlift Wing commander and 13th Air Expeditionary Group commander. "We take a lot of pride in continuing our tradition of innovation and readiness operating in the harshest conditions on Earth, all while safely meeting mission requirements and exceeding expectations."

Among the VIPs the 109th Airmen flew this year was General Joseph Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Operation Deep Freeze, the military component of the U.S. Antarctic Program, is managed by the National Science Foundation.

The LC-130 is the largest ski-equipped aircraft in the world, able to land on snow and ice. The "Skibirds" of the 109th Airlift Wing support science missions in Antarctica and Greenland, operating from Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, N.Y.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...