U.S. military to begin WINFLY

8/16/2013 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI -- The U.S. military is scheduled to begin its winter flying period Aug. 20 as part of its support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation.

The period, known as WINFLY, is scheduled to last until Aug. 28 and will deliver advance teams and cargo for the upcoming main season of Operation DEEP FREEZE.

A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wa., will deploy in support of the operation to transport NSF personnel and cargo to Christchurch International Airport, New Zealand. Christchurch is the starting point for forward deployment to McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Operation DEEP FREEZE is unlike any other U.S. military operation. It is one of the military's most difficult peacetime missions due to the harsh Antarctic environment. The U.S. military is uniquely equipped and trained to operate in such an austere environment and has therefore provided support to U.S. Antarctic research since 1955.

Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, led by Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is scheduled to begin the Operation DEEP FREEZE main season at the end of September.