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The RAAF has released dramatic photos showing one of its C-17A Globemaster airdropping construction equipment weighing more than 10,000 kilograms to Bunger Hills in Antarctica.
The mission was in support of the Australian Antarctic Program, an initiative that sees the Australian government work with more than 150 research institutions globally to study the region, using science to unlock the secrets of the past as well as to predict future climate changes.
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Operation Southern Discovery is the Air Force’s contribution and takes place every year between November to March.
In particular, the Globemaster is used for dropping heavy scientific equipment while ADF personnel also supply emergency medical help.
Defence said the latest drop required support from 14 air dispatchers and four parachute riggers from Australian Army’s 176 Air Dispatch and Air Force’s No. 36 Squadron.
Air dispatcher Private Jack Brook explained to Defence that the team spent two weeks rigging the delivery systems to ensure the success of the mission.
“While in Hobart, we rigged loads that were quite new to the team due to the requirements in Antarctica,” PTE Brook explained.
“It required a few calculations, cutting different shaped packages for energy dissipating material and working with low-cost aerial delivery systems.
“With this mission we faced new challenges, from learning new rigging styles to learning new procedures that had been previously tested.”
Aerial delivery is the preferred method of transporting equipment to Antarctica, resulting in less environmental damage and ameliorating the degradation of equipment.
Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Luciani, ADF liaison officer at the Australian Antarctic Division, explained that the airdrop would enable the Division to undertake the important two-year research operation.
“The Bunger Hills airdrop delivered the camp stores to a remote site deep in the Australian Antarctic Territory to enable the Australian Antarctic Program to begin preparations for a two-year science campaign at the Denman Glacier,” LTCOL Luciani said.
“The ADF provides a number of airdrops and air-land operations every summer season to deliver not only expeditioners, including scientists and logistic support personnel but also cargo and machinery to further enable the program.
“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 every summer season.”
Australia currently has eight C-17 Globemaster airlifters, all operated by No. 36 Squadron and based at RAAF Base Amberley. The last was delivered in 2015.
The C-17A Globemaster is a high-wing four-engine heavy transport aircraft, fitted with a cargo bay ramp that allows it to airdrop in-flight. It can also operate from unsurfaced runways as short as 3,500 feet and carry up to 77 tonnes.
