Air Force C-130 operations in DF-60

Above, the first aircraft just after landing at McMurdo at 1755 on 1/23

The 61st Troop Carrier Squadron from Stewart AFB, Tennessee, brought 7 ski-equipped C-130-D aircraft to the ice, as well as a wheeled C-130-A that did not venture south of ChCh. There were a total of 28 flights to Pole, as well as 30 to Byrd plus some field camp support between 25 January and 5 February 1960. The final unit statistics:

According to this letter from Col. Wilbert Turk, USAF (RET): "...the emergency airlift was essential because the two US stations in Antarctica would be abandoned unless essential equipment and supplies could be provided for the wintering over party. Remember at that time the Antarctica treaty had not been agreed to and if the US abandoned its sites, another nation (the USSR) would occupy them." Col. Turk documents the squadron activity and references the original Aviation Week feature ("Wings over Antarctica" published May 25, 1998). He commanded the group and made the first landings at Byrd and Pole.

At left, drums of aviation gasoline are being loaded for delivery to one of the inland stations. At right, the photo caption reads: "LT CLARENCE DUMAIS, military leader at South Pole Station discusses supply problems with RADM TYREE." (!)

Was Col. Turk right about the Russians taking over? After all, they had made their first land traverse to Pole only a month before the Air Force aircraft showed up. It is now known that the USSR could not have resupplied Pole for winter operations, but what was known in December 1959? It is interesting to note from the cruisebook photos and other documentation that the arrival of the Air Force aircraft seemed to be a last-minute plan, as the Public Works folks had to scramble to prepare a new skiway for these aircraft on short notice. And at least from the quantity of cargo delivered, it is not inconceivable that the inland stations would have lacked adequate supplies for a winter if the extra airlift had not happened.

These are U. S. Navy photos from the DF-60 Task Force 43 cruisebook.