The McChord Boys Go To NZ
 

These behemoths fly by my house all the time. Gets my dog very excited.

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE -- In addition to their constant missions to Iraq and Afghanistan, the huge Globemaster III cargo jets flying in and out of McChord Air Force Base also head to another part of the world: Antarctica.

From August to March every year, the Air Force reserve and active duty crews regularly head into the frozen flight zone with supplies for research scientists at McMurdo Station.

Despite the wind and rain in Puget Sound today, where the crews are heading it's spring time.

"It's beautiful down there," said Chief Master Sgt. Jim Masura.

For six months they get to enjoy the beautiful spring and summer weather and the hospitality of the people of Christchurch, New Zealand, which is where the McChord aviators stage when making flights to the antarctic.

And because of that hospitality, the Air Force crews want to give back. They've raised $10,000 over the past few years to donate to children's charities.

"We spend so much time down there, and the people there support us," Masura said. "We like to give back to them as much as they're giving to us."

The airmen raised the money through sales of T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs and caps, all with the name of 'Operation Deep Freeze.'

"It's fun," said Masura. "It's not the normal thing you get to do in the military."

http://www.komotv.com/news/local/11212976.html

Pretty much the only heavies we get to see at NZCH :p

There's also a couple of ANG C-130s that go to Antarctica I think, they look really awesome with the skids on :D

You and your dog can wave to me in about 3 weeks as I head out. Looking forward to 4 weeks at NZCH.

Is that mission still the biggest political thing going at TCM? Do any other heavies fly those mission besides the LCs? There used to be some SUU C-5s as I recall, along with the 141s.

4 weeks? Not bad! Flying the family down? Send my regards to the flock.

mooseflyer, use Cheney Stadium as a landmark, look north of it to one of the parks, and keep an eye out for a large brown dog and his owner. We'll wave vigorously and will know it's you if you flap your wings back.

Have fun down there!

If you aren't too busy and feel like helping out a fellow forum user/student pilot I would definitely be keen to meet up with you and get a tour of the aircraft! :D

Hey Schwanm, I'd be suprised if they aren't able to hook you up! If nothing else I'll buy you a Speights or DB Draught the next time I'm heading down towards In'gill.

Cheers,
JD

Disregard...buffoonery on my part.

You got it. I assume you live in NZCH?

mooseflyer, is it too late for me to request the same thing? I can get over to McChord on very short notice. And I'll leave my large brown dog at home.

I'm sorry that I'm always a day late and a dollar short.