IT’S called Operation Southern Discovery and it involves Australian Defence Force personnel delivering vital supplies for the Australian Antarctic Program.
A RAAF C-17A Globemaster from Amberley Airbase helped conduct an air-drop of construction equipment and stores to Bunger Hills, recently.
Air Force’s 36 Squadron worked with Army’s 176 air dispatch team and the Australian Antarctic Division to air-drop the supplies, which weighed 10,470kg.
The team of 14 air dispatchers and four parachute riggers spent two weeks in Hobart rigging 12 container delivery systems and one large platform.
Air dispatcher Private Jack Brook said Defence personnel faced new challenges, from learning new rigging styles to learning new procedures that had been previously tested.
“Low cost delivery systems were used for air-drops to Antarctica as they were less likely to cause environmental damage and degradation to the equipment,” a RAAF spokesman said.
The air-dropped stores included water tanks, dome tents, trestle tables and aluminium planks.
They were delivered to a remote site deep in the Australian Antarctic Territory.
ADF liaison officer at Australian Antarctic Division Lt Col Marcus Luciani said the stores would enable the Australian Antarctic Program to begin preparations for a two-year science campaign at the Denman Glacier.
“The ADF provides a number of airdrops and air-land operations to deliver not only expeditioners, including scientists and logistic support personnel, but also cargo and machinery to further enable the program,” Lt Col Luciani said.
“The C-17A Globemaster gives the ability to move people and equipment in and out of Antarctica really quickly and gives the program the opportunity to make the most of certain seasons.”
The Globemaster provides a logistics backbone for Australian Defence Force operations.
It allows rapid deployment of troops, supplies, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters anywhere in the world.
Based at Amberley, all eight C-17As are operated by No. 36 Squadron.
It is fitted with a cargo bay ramp that allows it to air-drop cargo in-flight and can operate from unsurfaced runways.
