The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has begun a new chapter in its long history of supporting Antarctic operations with the first flight of its new C-130J Hercules to the icy continent on Nov. 26.
Photo: RNZAF
Operation Antarctica, one of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) largest summer deployments, involves the transportation of personnel and cargo, and providing logistical support to scientific research in Antarctica. This effort is a critical part of the NZ/US Joint Logistics Pool, which supports both nations’ Antarctic programs. The C-130H, which has been a mainstay of the RNZAF since 1965, first landed on the Antarctic ice that same year. The H-model’s last flights to Antarctica were scheduled in October, marking the end of 60 seasons of dedicated service to Antarctic operations.
The C-130J’s first mission to Antarctica involved carrying cargo to Scott Base and McMurdo Station, in support of New Zealand and United States scientific research programs. Flight Lieutenant Tristan Nysse, an experienced pilot with 11 Antarctic missions under his belt, all flown in the C-130H, was at the controls for this inaugural flight. Nysse described the experience as rewarding, emphasizing that the success of the flight was due to a massive team effort, involving maintenance crews and everyone involved in the C-130J delivery.
Nysse, who joined No. 40 Squadron seven years ago, compared flying the C-130J to transitioning from an old manual truck to a new SUV: while the J model flies similarly to the H model, it boasts more systems to assist the pilot, demanding increased monitoring. He also highlighted the advantages of the C-130J’s greater engine power and advanced electronic planning systems, which simplify and speed up mission preparation. The C-130J’s larger carrying capacity, enabling it to transport more passengers and cargo to the ice, represents a significant improvement over the C-130H.
The RNZAF has scheduled six C-130J trips to Antarctica during the current summer season, carrying a mix of passengers and cargo. Major Lucy Wright, who manages the NZDF’s deployment to Antarctica, described the C-130J’s arrival as a significant milestone, ushering in new capabilities to support the Joint Logistics Pool. She noted that the C-130H had been a reliable workhorse for the Antarctic program for close to 60 years and that everyone is excited to have the new C-130J continue to provide that support.
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