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 | Nov. 3, 2006

109th Airlift Wing Makes Historic South Pole Landing

By American Forces Press Service

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Scotia, N.Y. - An LC-130 Hercules from the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing touched down at the South Pole on Oct. 30 to commemorate the first plane landing there 50 years ago.

On Oct. 31, 1956, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gus Shinn landed a ski-equipped R4D-5 (a Navy version of the DC-3) named "Que Sera Sera" at the South Pole. On that landmark day, with temperatures near minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit, Shinn kept the engines running while Navy Adm. George Dufek stepped out of the plane and became the first person in more than four decades to stand at the Pole.

This week, Skier 00, assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing in support of Operation Deep Freeze and piloted by Air Force Maj. Carlyle Norman, continued the tradition with the landing of a ski-equipped LC-130 in a ground temperature of near minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 109th AW officials said.

“This commemorative landing signifies much more than just the first aircraft landing at the South Pole,” Air Force Col. Anthony German, 109th AW commander, said. “It is a testament that our U.S. military is uniquely equipped to support the National Science Foundation and U.S. Antarctic Program in its mission to explore Antarctica. The 109th Airlift Wing is proud to be a part of this legacy.”

From 1955 until 1999, the Navy's Antarctic Development Squadron 6 flew various aircraft, including LC-130s, in support of the U.S. Antarctic Program. In 1998, at the Navy's request, the Air Force and Air National Guard took over command of Department of Defense support to the program. The Navy unit continued to augment the Air National Guard with LC-130 flights until it was disestablished in March 1999.

The 109th Airlift Wing is the only unit in the world to have the ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft with responsibility for supporting scientific research in the northern and southern polar regions.

(From a 109th Airlift Wing news release)

 

 

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...