…and go to Antarctica! I can see the recruiting ad already:
STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. , Oct. 15, 2008 – The 109th Airlift Wing is preparing to begin its 20th year of Operation Deep Freeze, supporting the National Science Foundation in Antarctica.
Two ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules transports will take off Oct. 27, followed by two more LC-130s and a C-5 Galaxy from the 105th Airlift Wing at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., on Oct. 28.
The aircraft will carry maintenance equipment, such as engines and propellers. Crews will spend a few days in New Zealand setting up their base of operations, and then will head down to McMurdo Station in Antarctica to get things going there, said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joe Axe, a loadmaster with the 139th Airlift Squadron who works in the Antarctic Operations Office.
“Once we’re established in Antarctica, the first mission we’ll do is to open the South Pole,” Axe said. “We’ll take about 50 people. That first day will be about three or four trips just to get the South Pole going.”
errr… I guess this is motivating… kind of…. We are the “Best Air Force Blog” for some reason, so might as well keep up appearances…
I’m a Marine but I’d hop onboard in a heartbeat if it’ll get me that Antarctica ribbon. I mean, do you need another reason to suffer in the freezing cold?
If I know the Air Force the Lucky Bastards get to stay in some nice hotels in Christchurch.
Seriously, NZ is a great place. South Island has plains, hills, mountains, fiords, glaciers and beaches. I have already been told by my better half that if we ever go back there she is planning to stay. Also some Outstanding pizza and beer.
Considering that this is (and was) an Navy mission that the Navy in a short sighted fit of active duty personnel cutting gave to the USAF-planes included, the USAF shoould be damn grateful they are allowed to go there at all.