Winter flying period in support of Operation Deep Freeze begins Published Aug. 22, 2013 Pacific Air Forces JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI -- The U.S. military began its winter flying period Aug. 20 as part of its support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation. The period, known as WINFLY, is scheduled to last until Aug. 28 and will deliver advance teams and cargo for the upcoming main season of Operation Deep Freeze. A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash., deployed in support of the operation to transport NSF personnel and cargo to Christchurch International Airport, New Zealand. Christchurch is the starting point for forward deployment to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Both 62nd and 446th Airlift Wing Airmen fly and support the C-17 missions to Antarctica. McChord Field has participated in ODF since 1983 using the C-141B Starlifter. The 446th AW got involved in 1995. The first C-17 trial for use to support ODF was Oct. 15, 1999. Operation Deep Freeze is unlike any other U.S. military operation. It is one of the military's most difficult peacetime missions due to the harsh Antarctic environment. The U.S. military is uniquely equipped and trained to operate in such an austere environment and has therefore provided support to U.S. Antarctic research since 1955. Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, led by Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is scheduled to begin the Operation Deep Freeze main season at the end of September.