The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) flew its C-17A Globemaster III to Antarctica to deliver much-needed supplies to scientists working on climate change research.
Under Operation Southern Discovery, the RAAF provides regular airlifts for the Australian Antarctic Program supporting scientific research such as the Million Year Ice Core project.
Turns out Wilkins Aerodrome staff are also keen videographers! Check out this fantastic footage of the RAAF’s C-17A arriving at Wilkins Aerodrome, near Casey Research Station, last week. 📹Jimmy Cairns & Asher Linney-Barber pic.twitter.com/9hcu4bgTXS
— antarctica.gov.au (@AusAntarctic) November 25, 2024
In the last week of November 2024, a RAAF C-17A Globemaster III touched down on the ice runway at Wilkins Aerodrome in Antarctica, near Casey Station.
The moment was caught on video by Wilkins Aerodome staff as the four-engine heavy transport aircraft made its landing on the runway made of natural glacial ice.
In November 2024, the RAAF flew two trips from Melbourne to Antarctica, carrying more than 20 pallets of food, building materials and general cargo.
“It’s a different view once you open it up, everything is white,” Sergeant Shaun Harding, who headed the offloading stores from the back of the 36 Squadron aircraft said.
“We were pretty warm offloading gear so we didn’t notice the cold too much, but once you stepped off the C-17 it got pretty windy,” Harding added.
The RAAF reported that it was the first time C-17 pilot Flight Lieutenant Andrew Muhl had landed his 128 tonne aircraft (plus cargo) on an icy runway atop a 150m-thick glacier.
“The Wilkins Aerodrome staff till the top of the glacier so the runway’s grooved and there’s a bit of friction. When we landed and turned around, you could see where the tires had been. There was pretty much ice under the tire tracks,” Muhl said.
The RAAF also transported two BK117 helicopters to Antarctica in December 2024 to enable critical science and safety activities.
