First Antarctic Flights Of

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30553, 23 September 1964, Page 18

First Antarctic Flights Of

Season Next Week

The first flights of the season to Antarctica this year would be made from Australia, Christchurch, and possibly Chile, said the commander of the United States Navy Antarctic support force (Rear-Admiral J. R. Reedy) soon after his arrival in Christchurch yesterday.

Admiral Reedy said two gki-equipped Hercules would fly to McMurdo Station from Christchurch on October 1. He would fly there from Melbourne on the same day, and if another Hercules at present carrying out aerial photography of the Antarctic Peninsula had finished its task.

it would join the other three Hercules, flying to the Antarctic from Punta Arenas, Chile. The only reason for the flight from Melbourne, said Admiral Reedy, was that noone had flown to Antarctica from the city before, and it seemed a good time to. do it. Last year Admiral Reedy flew from Cape Town to McMurdo Station. He will leave Christchurch next Tuesday for Melbourne in preparation for the flight. Asked if occasional midwinter flights had been considered. after the success of the evacuation flight in late June, Admiral Reedy said nothing was scheduled. Such flights had always been considered in case of emergencies.

Because the present facilities at McMurdo Station were inadequate for the large summer population, a new dispensary will be built there. Admiral Reedy said because of this project, which had been considered for some time, the construction of new barracks had been postponed to next season. By providing an up-to-date, better

equipped medical centre the likelihood of emergency flights could be reduced. Admiral Reedy said the highlights of this season would be the establishment by the ice-breaker, Edisto, of a permanent biologicalglaciological station—Palmer Station—on Anvers Island off the coast- of the Antarctic Peninsula; supplying the first leg of a major traverse from the South Pole to the Belgian base, and later aerial reconnaissance for the second leg; and the completion of a sea-water distillation plant at McMurdo Station. ■

Admiral Reeedy hinted that this might be his last season of Antarctic command. He said there was a possibility that he would be relieved later in the season although he had received no indication who his successor might be. At some stage this season Admiral Reedy might make a second visit to the Russian base at Mirny. This visit was not definite, but if it came off it would be simply a social visit, he said. There would be no joint projects with the Russians this season, nor were any base inspection Visits to be made.

An extra Super Constellation, due here • next month, was undergoing polar adaptation, said Admiral Reedy. This aircraft would replace the Douglas Skymaster and be used on -flights between Christchurch and McMurdo Station and occasionally to the United States. Admiral Reedy said there was a change of emphasis in location of the over-all programme this season, but not in the magnitude of operations.

The last flight out of the Antarctic is planned for about March 1 next year. When Admiral Reedy’s party arrived . yesterday morning there were many old friends to welcome them. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Manning) extended the greetings of the city.

On Friday the first Boeing military transport of the season is due. On board will be representatives of the National Science Foundation, es, ituexntold eB o