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50 years of New Zealand in Antarctica

Royal New Zealand Air Force
A Royal New Zealand Air Force flight landing in Antarctica.
Written by RelevantStuff

New Zealand, one of Antarctica’s closest neighbours with a human population, completed 50 years of airlift operations to Antarctica on the 23rd of November. The land of the Kiwis has been supporting research missions in Antarctica for the last 50 years, and celebrated its golden jubilee for doing so only last Monday. The first such air cargo mission launched by the Kiwi air force was executed way back in 1965.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has been taking care of the air cargo missions to Antarctica for over 50 years now. The day was marked by a New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) C-130 Hercules aircraft delivering approximately 3,000 kilograms of freight to bases in Antarctica. This was just the first of the eight air support trips scheduled to be carried out in this summer season itself. The currently approaching season for the Antarctic and the rest of the Southern Hemisphere is summer, while the Northern Hemisphere, where a majority of the world’s population resides, is approaching winter.

Royal New Zealand Air Force

A Royal New Zealand Air Force flight landing in Antarctica.

 

According to Major General Tim Gall, Commander, Joint Force New Zealand, Operation Antarctica is one of their major missions. He further added that his team would continue to support Antarctica New Zealand and the US Antarctic programs through the Joint Logistics Pool. The air support, more than anything else, recognizes the significance of the scientific research being conducted in Antarctica, according to Major General Gall.

Antarctica New Zealand manages operations around the Scott Base, along with supporting scientific research around the Southern Ocean, especially the Ross Sea region. According to Major General Gall, they also make sure that the personnel carrying out the research and support have enough supplies to for the season when the research is at its peak.

The New Zealand Defense Personnel itself adds up to a team of 220 people, which includes engineers, cargo handlers, communications specialists, and heavy plant operators. The team together conducts research, and support each other with air and operations at Harewood Terminal in Christchurch and McMurdo Base. They also assist in unloading of the annual container ship.

The Antarctic Treaty System consists of more than 50 countries which indulge in carrying out scientific investigations and research in Antarctica, which has been set aside as a scientific preserve.

Source: New Zealand Herald

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