Operation Antarctica
This tri-Service operation is one of our oldest missions; we’ve contributed personnel since 1957. Each year we support Antarctica New Zealand and international science and research work, including the United States Antarctic Programme.
We have personnel based at Scott Base and McMurdo Station, and an air movements team at Christchurch’s Harewood Terminal supports all Antarctic flights. RNZAF Hercules and Boeing flights transport passengers and cargo to and from the ice, while RNZN vessel HMNZS Aotearoa is capable of carrying out resupply missions.
Our personnel fill a range of roles including working at Scott Base as watchkeepers and in communications jobs, where they keep in contact with scientists working in the field, and with helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft operations. We also have deployed ship offload teams, logistics personnel, fire fighters, fuel operators and drivers. We send personnel from a number of trades including builders, carpenters, electricians and plumbers who carry out maintenance and repairs of facilities, including upgrades at Scott Base as Antarctica New Zealand prepares for the base’s redevelopment.
During the season personnel surge in and out as required, sometimes deploying for a few weeks at a time. Members of our personnel working as part of the Scott Base Support Team deploy for the summer season.