"Operation Deep Freeze" historical blog, featuring photographs
taken between 1961 and 1963, over the course of two different Operation
Deep Freeze missions. The blog includes photos of wildlife, military
operations, Coast Guard and Naval vessels, as well as historic photographs
of McMurdo Station taken less than a decade after the research station
was established.
- Mike Eldred Wilmington, VT
The kitchen "tent" at McMurdo in
1955 where the food was prepared for our crew that was constructing
the base during Deep Freeze 1. Everyone ate outside sitting on crates
etc. during the initial stages. I slept in a tent near to Scott's
Hut Point building.
Picture courtesy Ken Meyer (PH1-USNavy 53-58 MSgt USAF Ret. 58-73
Aerial view looking Southerly toward
McMurdo Base that was being constructed at the base of Mt. Discovery
during DeepFreeze 1 about Dec. 1955 . The faint dark triangle from
the ice edge is the two tractor trails that led from the cargo ships
to the base. The air strip runway is to far right near top of picture.
Picture courtesy Ken Meyer (PH1-USNavy 53-58 MSgt USAF Ret. 58-73
1960's
Rich Spatz (1968) - Pleasant Hill, Ca U.S.A. I spent the summer
of 1967 at Longwire a sub station of Byrd. I spent my winter at McMurdo.
The Navy called us usarp's. Would love to go back. - email available
1970's
John Gasperetti (1974-1974, 1982-1984) - Renton, Washington
email I was
stationed with the Seabees during the 1974-75 and 1982-1984 summer seasons.
I ran the bake shop in the evening and would like to get in contact
with all others that were there during that time frame. Great times,
great people and of course great parties! My daughter actually went
there a few years back working for Raytheon, had a great experience.
H. Lee Sigler (1972-1973) - Early, Tx 76802
email Winter Over GCA
Technician for Willy Field, was ET1 at the time, retired as ETC in
August 84.
1980's
Mary Amerson (1980-81) - St Petersburg FL, USA
email I was in the Navy
and stationed with VXE-6. I went down to the ice for 6 months. Did a
bit of travelling since I worked for our maintenance officer. I went
to the south pole, Scott base, the dry valleys, and on a helo ride over
part of the polar plateau to name a few. Can't get it out of my head.
Most awesome experience of my life.
Kimberly Brown (1986 -1987) - Denver, Colorado
email Wintered Over Crew
1986-1987. I worked as a Draftsperson, Electricians Helper, Carpenter's
helper, etc. Hello to all that the adventurous souls who wintered over!
I still remember the winter-over softball games, trips to Black Island,
weekends to the Ski Chalet, and most notably the "Delta Force" for all
of the good times. God Speed!
Kevin Call (1979-1982) - El Segundo, CA, USA
email EX LC-130 navigator.
John Gasperetti (1974-1974, 1982-1984) - Renton, Washington
email I was
stationed with the Seabees during the 1974-75 and 1982-1984 summer seasons.
I ran the bake shop in the evening and would like to get in contact
with all others that were there during that time frame. Great times,
great people and of course great parties! My daughter actually went
there a few years back working for Raytheon, had a great experience.
Ed Holton (1987 - 1991) - Douglas, AZ, USA. NSFA Medical.
email I was Leading Petty
Officer of NSFA Medical from 1987 through 1991 and made 4 deployments.
My last time was spent as the Senior Medical Dept. rep in Christchurch.
I would like to hear from any shipmates that were there at that time,
as well as any current personnel of McMurdo medical. I was the last
Navy X-Ray Tech permanently assigned to NSFA Summer Support.
Kim Joines (1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990) - Chirstchurch,
New Zealand - email available
Chris Murphy (1988) - Seabeck, WA Was in the Navy as
a Seabee and Wintered Over with a small crew of about 80 people. Good
times but not too sure of doing another winter there. Lot's of
good memories and great people. - email available
Sandy Nagle (1986) - Clayton, NC I was part of a USMC
unit that provided live TironN and NOAA data with a deployable self
contained unit, MARK IV. I was an electronic technician. - email
available
Rodney "TJ" Petrin Jr (1981 - 1986) - Sunapee, NH -
email I was a member of Operation
Deep Freeze from 1981 - 1986 as Summer Support. I deeply miss the "ice"
and would have given anything to get back. I remember the smell of fuel
in the air, the crispness, the herbies, and my old radio show, Late
Night McMurdo on AFRTS. I will ALWAYS treasure my times on the ice and
hope to get into contact with others I knew there, like Kim Joines.
Jim Terrace (1983) - Madison Ohio -
email It would be
great to hear from anyone who remembers that fun time in our lives.
1990's
Dan Aldous (1995,1996, 1997) - Idaho
Art Manke (usn-seabees, McMurdo 1990) - Jackson, Michigan
- email 36th winterover
crew Feb. 91 thru Oct 91, cargo hill rehab and ice pier
reconstruction thru the winter. any thoughts or questions please
contact me
Mike Osterhouse (1993-1994 1998 1999) -
email Elizabeth
City, NC Navy forecaster winter-over 199-94. Civilian summer support
88 and 89
Bill Watson (1994) - Traverse city Michigan
email Winter over
1994 worked as a g.a. with u.t's lost contact with all
Darrin Wixo "Wix" (1991-92) - Moorhead USA.
email There was a
GA from Iowa (red headed) that helped us riggers out on Black Island
for a stint. Was really really funny. Didn't have a clue about
rigging but kept us up beat. Our Microwave Engineer also wondering where
she went to work as the cell boom hit a couple years after being there.
