Personnel at the National Science Foundation's Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station braved intense cold and used everything from muscle power to front-end loaders to successfully recover six bundles of medical supplies and other equipment that U.S. Air Force delivered on July 11 to treat a woman who is spending the winter at the station. The 47-year-old woman, who has asked not to be identified, recently discovered a lump in one of her breasts.

The station personnel, who are employed by Antarctic Support Associates of Englewood, Colo., lit fires in the almost total darkness to provide a target for the C-141 cargo aircraft to air drop the bundles, which also contained mail and fresh vegetables.

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• Statement by Dr. Karl A. Erb, Director of the Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, On Status of South Pole Medical Situation, October 5,1999

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• Briefing by Dr. Rita Colwell, Director, National Science Foundation, On South Pole Medical Emergency, July 13, 1999

• Statement by Dr. Karl A. Erb, Director, Office of Polar Programs, Update On South Pole Medical Air Drop, July 13, 1999

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• Statement by Dr. Karl A. Erb, Director, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, On Medical Status of South Pole Personnel, July 6, 1999

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