Antarctic Ice Rescue
An RNZAF P-3K Orion
An RNZAF P3-K Orion was quickly dispatched to Antarctica recently, following a request from the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) and United States Air Force (USAF).
The call came after a USAF C-17 Globemaster was stranded on the continent with a minor mechanical issue involving a faulty fuel control. On board the RNZAF Orion were three USAF maintenance engineers and spares for the USAF aircraft. Under the established Emergency Recovery Support agreement between the NSF and Antarctic New Zealand, and given that the USAF C-130 Hercules crews were still based in the United States, the RNZAF was called on to assist.
With the fleet of the RNZAF’s primary Antarctic support aircraft, the C-130 Hercules, currently on operations in Timor Leste or undergoing a life extension upgrade in Canada, a P-3K Orion and crew were prepared for the flight instead.
The RNZAF has regularly conducted flights to the ice with the P-3K Orion since early 2006, usually in conjunction with routine patrolling of the Southern Ocean.
‘While it is early in the season for the Air Force to be flying to the ice and, by its very nature, there is some risk involved with Antarctic operations, our crews are well trained and have three years of P-3K ice experience to call upon,’ said Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Gavin Howse. ‘The NSF, USAF, Antarctic New Zealand, and the RNZAF have a great working relationship. As an exercise in international co-operation it was fantastic that we were able to assist. It is also nice to know that, should we find ourselves in a similar situation, we can rely on their support,’ Air Commodore Howse said.
Approaching the McMurdo ice runway
The Commander of the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron of the USAF Lieutenant Colonel Jim McGann, was grateful for the outstanding support of Antarctic New Zealand and the RNZAF. The USAF C-17 has returned to Christchurch and has already begun scheduled flights back to the ice. The first RNZAF C-130 Hercules flights to Antarctica, in support of Antarctic New Zealand, will begin in early January next year.
‘I’d like to acknowledge and give special thanks to Antarctic New Zealand and to the RNZAF’s No. 5 Squadron P-3 Orion and crew, for answering our request for assistance so quickly. Their efforts reduced the C-17 ground time by a whopping 72 hours minimum. They were simply phenomenal,’ Lieutenant Colonel McGann said.