Pacific Air Forces - Operation Deep Freeze (original) (raw)

Operation Deep Freeze

The 13th Air Force-led Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze, is the U.S. military's support of the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Antarctic Program. ODF is the name given to operational and logistic support conducted by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard since 1955. This involves coordination of strategic intertheater airlift, LC-130 field support airlift; other airlift as required; aeromedical evacuation support; emergency response; sealift; seaport access; bulk fuel supply; port cargo handling; and transportation requirements. ODF is unlike any other U.S. military operation. It is possibly the U.S. military's most difficult peacetime mission due to the extreme adversity of the environment.

Through the office of the secretary of defense, the commander, U.S. Pacific Command has been designated to support the 2005-2006 Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica operation. CDRUSPACOM has delegated this joint operation to the Commander, Pacific Air Forces, who then delegated primary responsibility for execution of the JTF SFA operation to the commander, 13th Air Force.

The U.S. military is uniquely equipped to assist the National Science Foundation in the accomplishment of its mission to explore Antarctica, and 13th Air Force has the 24-hour 613th Air and Space Operations Center to ensure the joint operational and logistic support to the NSF is provided.

Operation Deep Freeze 2006-2007 season news releases

Operation Deep Freeze 2006-2007 season wraps up

Deep Freeze members help commemorate Scott 50th Anniversary

Deep Freeze cutter reaches McMurdo

U.S. Coast Guard ship supports Air Force-led Operation Deep Freeze 07

U.S. icebreaking ship arrives at McMurdo

C-17 airdrop to South Pole Station a success

Mission puts Airmen near South Pole: Aircrews fly scientists, equipment to Antarctica

Antarctica joint task force medevacs two First Operation Deep Freeze LC-130 arrives at Hickam

Operation Deep Freeze summer season commences Operation Deep Freeze underway with McChord C-17