News

C-17 proves itself again with a record ODF mission

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle and Staff Sgt. Eric Burks
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs and 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The 2009-2010 Operation Deep Freeze season closed out on a high note, Feb. 20, by setting a C-17 Globemaster III record in support of the National Science Foundation's U.S. Antarctic Program.

A total of 63 missions were flown, along with 4.2 million pounds of cargo hauled, and 649 flying hours capped the C-17's 10th year on "the ice."

"Deep Freeze is truly a shared mission between the active duty and Reserve," said Lt. Col. Thomas Jensen, 97th Airlift Squadron. "We work together seamlessly to execute the mission. Most of the outside agencies don't realize we are part Reserve, part active duty. All they know is that we are the C-17 team from McChord."

Operation Deep Freeze is the U.S. military's support of the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Antarctic Program, and involves coordination of airlift, aeromedical evacuation support, emergency response, sealift, seaport access, bulk fuel supply, port cargo handling and transportation requirements.

Team McChord Airmen of the 446th Airlift Wing and 62nd Airlift Wing jointly conduct the Operation Deep Freeze C-17 mission.

"We're at 10 years now supporting Deep Freeze with the C-17, which has really revolutionized how the Air Force has supported the National Science Foundation," said Col. Kevin Kilb, 62nd AW commander.

According to Lt. Col. Bill Eberhardt, 728th Airlift Squadron here, the 446th AW has supported Deep Freeze since before the C-17 got involved.

"The 446th AW participated in the first ever C-17 Antarctic landing, Oct. 15, 1999, he said."

The average mission takes about 10 hours of total flight time between Christchurch, New Zealand and Antarctica, with one to two hours spent on "the ice."

Prior to the first McChord C-17 touching down on the ice runway outside McMurdo Station, Antarctica in 1999, McChord Airmen completed Antarctic flights with the C-141 Starlifter, which had supported Deep Freeze operations since 1966.

"In addition to the amount of cargo we can carry, the most significant difference between the C-17 and the C-141 is the capability to complete missions without refueling," said Lt. Col. J.W. Smith, 313th Airlift Squadron assistant operations officer and 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron directing officer.

This capability is possible due to the increased range of the aircraft.

Since the current season kicked off Sept. 25, Team McChord Airmen have completed an average of three to four missions each week, transporting passengers and cargo.

Airmen conducting the mission include seasoned veterans and first-time participants. After extensive pre-mission training at JBLM McChord Field, Airmen receive a full day of planning and preparation upon arrival in Christchurch.

Despite the extensive training, 446th AW Reservists who participate in Deep Freeze missions bring more to the table, according to Colonel Eberhardt.

"We have designed, developed and tested procedures for the first ever C-17 South Pole air drop as well as the first ever Antarctic landing on the ice using Night Vision Goggles," he said.

According to 446th Operations Group chief loadmaster, Chief Master Sgt. James Masura, Lt. Col. Monty McDaniel, 728th AS, was the instructor pilot for the first NVG flown Deep Freeze mission.

"We now conduct annual training flights to South Pole as well as NVG operations to McMurdo Station," said Colonel Eberhardt. "We have proven the concept that the C-17 can operate at any time of the year in the harsh Antarctic environment. This greatly increases future capability for science as well as emergency medevac and emergency air drop."

The 446th AW continues to add significant contributions to Deep Freeze, according to Chief Masura.

"The drop zone control officer for the first South Pole air drop was Lt. Col. Ted Grady (97th Airlift Squadron), the pilot of the last Deep Freeze flight of the season was Lt. Col. John Scacciotti (313th Airlift Squadron), and the loadmaster for the first flight was Master Sgt. Eric Olson, (313th AS)."

Airmen face other unique challenges in the harsh environment, including working in sub-zero temperatures and taxiing through snow on an ice runway - critical for increased safety and traction on landing.

"In the 10 years that we have been involved in the Deep Freeze mission with the C-17, we have a perfect operational safety record, said Colonel Eberhardt.

According to Colonel Jensen, having a good maintenance team is essential.

"This was the best MX (maintenance) team I have ever seen on a Deep Freeze mission," he said.

Reservists from the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron present for the Deep Freeze season were: Capt. Sarah Dempsey, maintenance officer, Master Sgt. Kurt Ertel, aircraft propulsion technician, Master Sgt. Randall Wentz, production superintendent, and Tech. Sgt. Jeff Reinke, flying crew chief.

Not only did the maintenance team support daily operations, but they took some off time to reach out to the local public.

"All four of us came in on a weekend day off to walk National Science Foundation dignitaries, school children, and about 30 New Zealand Civil Air Patrol youngsters through the aircraft," said Sergeant Wentz. "Everyone on our trip performed their job with the utmost of professionalism, without missing a beat, or having a maintenance related delay, or cancellation."

Colonel Eberhardt says public reassurance is a good out come from the mission.

"Operation Deep Freeze has given McChord Airmen the opportunity to personally show many military and civilian DVs (distinguished visitors) the true capability of C-17 airlift," he said.