Supporting Science 24/7 in Antarctica: MSgt John Rayome

Filed under Education & Culture by on March 11, 2010 at 9:46 pm {one comment}

This is the eighth and final part of our series featuring servicemembers working on OPERATION: DEEP FREEZE, the Defense Department’s support of National Science Foundation research in Antarctica. Special thanks to Air Force Lt. Col. Ed Vaughan, Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, for co-producing this effort.

LC-130 at Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica. Photo: courtesy Lt Col Mark Doll, USAF.

LC-130 at Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica. Photo: courtesy Lt Col Mark Doll, USAF.

MSgt John H. Rayome is the Operations Coordinator at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Q: What is your job, and from what unit are you deployed?

A: I work at McMurdo in the main operations center, supporting all the scheduling, flight planning, weather forecasting, and maintenance coordination for the LC-130 flying operation. The mission is going 24/7 on most days. I’ve been in the Air Guard since 1996, but in the Air Force since 1981.  I grew up in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, so the weather at McMurdo Station is pretty familiar!

(more…)

LTC “Beef” Wellington: Eyelash Icicles and Other Antarctic Challenges

Filed under Education & Culture by on March 2, 2010 at 5:36 pm {3 comments}

This is the seventh part of our series featuring servicemembers working on OPERATION: DEEP FREEZE, the Defense Department’s support of National Science Foundation research in Antarctica. Special thanks to Air Force Lt. Col. Ed Vaughan, Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, for co-producing this effort.

Wellingtons

"Beef" Wellington holds the number “10” marking 10 years since the first C-17A landed in Antarctica. He is the most experienced C-17 ice pilot still flying (Courtesy Lt. Col. Wellington)

Lt. Col. R.G. “Beef” Wellington spent the 2009-2010 Operation Deep Freeze season deployed as the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander in Christchurch, New Zealand.

1. What is your job, and from what unit are you deployed?

I am Commander of the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and a C-17A Pilot, deployed from the 62nd Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. I’m originally from Newton Falls, OH, and have served 20 years in the US Air Force flying the C-141, the RAF VC-10 while on an exchange tour to the United Kingdom, and the C-17 when not on staff assignments. Having spent a lot of time supporting operations in the sand box, it’s a unique honor and challenge to participate in the spectacularly stunning and cold of Operation DEEP FREEZE.

(more…)

Safety First in Antarctica: SSgt Steven Chandler

Filed under Education & Culture by on February 21, 2010 at 8:29 pm {no comments}

This is the sixth part of our series featuring servicemembers working on Operation: Deep Freeze, the Defense Department’s support of National Science Foundation research in Antarctica. Special thanks to Air Force Lt. Col. Ed Vaughan, Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, for co-producing this effort.

SSgt Steven Chandler at Ob Hill in Antarctica.

SSgt Steven Chandler at Ob Hill in Antarctica.

SSgt Steven Chandler is an Aircraft Structural Maintenance Technician for the 109th Airlift Wing in Scotia, NY. He grew up near Saratoga Springs, NY, with a fascination of aircraft, a passion for technology, and a love for the outdoors, all of which make the Air National Guard a perfect place to work.

Q: What is your job and from what unit are you deployed?

A: My primary job at the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard is an Aircraft Structural Maintenance Technician. That job involves inspecting and repairing most all of the metal parts of the aircraft such as the skin, panels, and the frame, which may be cracked or corroded. Here in Antarctica I also help monitor the tool room for the other mechanics. (more…)

Another Shackleton Explores Antarctica: CDR Scott Shackleton

Filed under Education & Culture by on February 18, 2010 at 10:59 am {no comments}

This is the fifth part of our series featuring servicemembers working on OPERATION: DEEP FREEZE, the Defense Department’s support of National Science Foundation research in Antarctica. Special thanks to Air Force Lt. Col. Ed Vaughan, Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, for co-producing this series.

CDR Scott Shackleton at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

CDR Scott Shackleton at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Commander Scott Shackleton is a Naval Reservist and also a distant relative of Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose 1914-1916 Endurance expedition in Antarctica remains one of the great survival stories.

Q: What is your job, and what unit are you deployed from?

A: I am a Naval Reservist assigned to Military Sealift Command (MSC) as a Ships Operation Officer. My role in Antarctica is in support of Operation Deep Freeze, the Department of Defense‘s annual delivery of fuel, equipment and supplies required to sustain the scientist and support personnel conducting vital research across the Antarctic continent. (more…)

Supporting Science to the Extreme: Lt. Col. Mark Doll

Filed under Education & Culture by on February 15, 2010 at 7:07 pm {no comments}

This is the fourth part of our series featuring servicemembers working on OPERATION: DEEP FREEZE, the Defense Department’s support of National Science Foundation research in Antarctica. Special thanks to Air Force Lt. Col. Ed Vaughan, Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, for co-producing this series.

Lt.Col. Mark Doll with his personally-owned ski-plane, a 1946 Aeronca Champ on skis, in Sacandaga Resevoir, NY.

Lt.Col. Mark Doll with his personally-owned ski-plane, a 1946 Aeronca Champ on skis, in Sacandaga Resevoir, NY.

Lt. Col. Mark Doll is the Air National Guard Liaison to the National Science Foundation and an LC-130 ski-plane pilot.

1.  What is your job, and from what unit are you deployed?

I am the Air National Guard Liaison to the National Science Foundation. In this capacity, I ensure the National Science Foundation has access to the Air National Guard resources needed to support its Office of Polar Programs‘ science and logistics activities in the Arctic and Antarctic. Most prominent are the ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules; the largest ski aircraft in the world. Also, Air National Guard is the focal point for the National Science Foundation’s reimbursement (more…)

Navy Cargo Ships Support Scientists in Antarctica [PHOTOS]

Filed under Technology by on February 13, 2010 at 12:32 pm {no comments}
M/V American Tern cargo ship

MV American Tern cargo ship

Ships are big player in the Defense Department’s support of Operation: DEEP FREEZE.

For more than 50 years, the National Science Foundation has relied on the highly skilled Navy Cargo Handlers to ensure safe delivery of life-sustaining cargo for its research scientists and residents at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Around the clock, in two 12-hours shifts, the Sailors off-load and load a cargo ship in Antarctica during the summer month of February, which provides continuous sunlight on the continent. (more…)

Conservation Key in Deep Freeze Mission: Major Jeff Hedges

Filed under Education & Culture by on February 12, 2010 at 4:17 pm {no comments}

This is the third part of our series featuring servicemembers working on OPERATION: DEEP FREEZE, the Defense Department’s support of National Science Foundation research in Antarctica.

Major Jeff Hedges

Major Jeff Hedges stays warm on the ice.

Major Jeff Hedges is executive officer for Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica deployed from 13th Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii.

Q: What is your job, and from what unit are you deployed?

A: I’m the Executive Officer, Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica. I’m deployed from the Headquarters staff, 13th Air Force, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii. I joined the staff in May 2007 after working in the CONR/AFNORTH Air Operations Center, Tyndall AFB, FL (Florida Air National Guard) as a JAG. I’m married with two boys (11/13). I became interested in JTF operations in Antarctica for professional development on HQ staff and the rare opportunity to support operations on the Antarctic continent. It has proven to be an incredible opportunity. (more…)

Troops Carry Out “Cool” Mission in Antarctica

Filed under Podcast by on February 12, 2010 at 10:24 am {no comments}
LC-130 ski-equipped aircraft

LC-130 ski-equipped aircraft

While the U.S. East Coast feels the closest it has come in many years to “extreme” weather, some servicemembers are facing real cold as they support the National Science Foundation’s efforts in Antarctica.

Air Force Col. Paul Sheppard, commander of the 13th Air Expeditionary Group and deputy commander of Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, provided details of the mission from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, on the Pentagon Channel podcast, “Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military.”

Listen to the interview or read the full transcript. (more…)

Page 1 of 212»
Connect to Facebook
Facebook		 Connect on Twitter
Twitter		 Email
Email		 Subscribe to Blog Posts
Blog Posts		 Subscribe to Comments
Comments

AWS Twitter Feed

Facebook