Critical supplies have been delivered by RAAF crews to Australia’s expeditioners at the remote Mawson research station in Antarctica.
Likened to an early Christmas for the 18 expeditioners wintering at the site, the essentials arrived safe and sound via an RAAF C-17A Globemaster III airdrop on Thursday.
Australian Antarctic Division General Manager Operations and Safety Charlton Clark says the mammoth operation was launched after thick sea ice thwarted resupply efforts at Mawson last year.
“This aerial delivery of 23 loads of essential cargo, weighing more than nine and a half thousand kilograms will now support the station until our next resupply mission,” Mr Clark said on Saturday.
“It truly was an amazing undertaking, involving considerable challenges with both weather and logistics and I’m thrilled it’s been a success.”
The mission to the frozen continent involved Australian Defence Force and AAD teams across Queensland, NSW, Tasmania and Western Australia.
ADF personnel spent a week carefully constructing the loads at the AAD’s biosecurity centre in Hobart before it was delivered to the flight crew, arriving in Tasmania from RAAF Amberley in Queensland.
The flight then departed Perth International Airport early Thursday morning on a 15-hour round trip, travelling five thousand kilometres over the Southern Ocean before reaching the drop zone.
The C-17A Globemaster III was supported by a specialist aircraft which provided air-to-air fuelling to enable the return journey.
“The real success in this mission is seeing vital equipment and medical supplies delivered to where it needs to be,” Mr Clark said.
“There was also mail, fresh food and gifts from loved ones in Australia, it really was like Christmas arriving in August for Mawson.”
Expeditioners recovered the cargo and parachutes off the ice in low light, strong winds and minus-25 degree temperatures.
Mawson station Leader Jason Ahrens said efforts were made to ensure minimal disruption to wildlife.
“We had expeditioners acting as spotters to make sure rogue penguins and seals didn’t unknowingly cross into the drop zone,” he said.
“The Mawson team are really excited to receive these much needed supplies and a little slice of home.”
More than three months of planning went into the mission, with personnel abiding by COVID-19 protocols.
Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley praised the efforts of both organisations.
“This is a key example of the essential role the Australian Defence Force plays in supporting Australia’s leadership in the Antarctic,” she said.
“Our Antarctic teams are incredibly dedicated and incredibly resilient in the face of extraordinary circumstances and it is important that we support them.”
AAP
