U.S. ANTARCTIC BUDGET FOR NEXT SEASON

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29101, 13 January 1960, Page 10

U.S. ANTARCTIC BUDGET FOR NEXT SEASON

United States Antarctic operations will be conducted next season on about the same scale as during the present summer. The United States Navy task force budget for this season’s expedition is about 15 million dollars. Some new developments are planned for 1960-61, including expansion of support for scientific research.

“The total dollars are slightly different but will permit operations at the same level as for this season. We hope to effect a few economies and it is possible there will be increases in certain areas and some changes and expansion in some programmes,” Commander John W. Haskell said yesterday. Commander Haskell, who is the task force logistics officer, has returned to Christchurch from Washington where he has been appropriating finance for next year’s expedition, procuring stores and supplies and scheduling aircraft and ships. Approximately 60 per cent, of logistic effort to resupply interior bases would be expended on the delivery of petrol, oil and lubricants—mainly in drums by airdrop. The supply of fuel to coastal bases—mostly in bulk from a tanker—would take about 30 per cent, of logistic effort, he said. Aerial support next season at

present called for 10 United States Air Force Globemasters on wheels with 14 crews; and four United States Navy Hercules ski-planes which would be improved versions of the cargo type of Hercules due in Christchurch this week for experimental operation. “If it is possible for the Hercules to accomplish a large volume of supply delivery to interior stations during the period ending January and early February this year it may be possible for us to reduce somewhat the over-all requirement for supplies next season.” Commander Haskell said . “In that case, perhaps, fewei Globemasters on wheels might be managed with; but as we have no way of determining the capability of the Hercules, since they have not been used in Antarctica before, it is just conjecture.” Commander Haskell said that to a certain extent the Hercules transport would relegate the veteran Dakota and Neptune skiplanes to an inferior position in resupply and personnel relief work.

However, as present marks of the Hercules had rigid skis and could land only on prepared skiways the Dakotas and Neptunes would stil] bear the brunt of overland traverse support and airborne seismic research which required landings in open unprepared places.

“We anticipate no reduction of aircraft of those types at the present time.” he said.

Commander Haskell said that the task force surface fleet would comprise two cargo ships, one tanker, four icebreakers and a picket ship.