I spent 7 months in Antarctica. Home based at McMurdo, but my job took me all over the continent. The food at the mess hall at McMurdo was some of the best in the world. We ate like Kings everyday, 3 times a day. If you didn't see what you wanted, you asked and t hey would make it. Prime Rib, Lobster, shrimp, burgers, etc. it was all there. AAA+++
Back in the 80s, there was a need for an ET to TDY on a USCG Polar Class icebreaker. So, of course, I “volunteer” 😂. We went down to Antarctica-the best tour of duty in my eight years in the USCG. Sir, much respect to you and your mates, thank you for your service, and stay safe 🙏
I randomly met a guy that had worked down there clearing a runway. We were both solo camping in mid winter at the same back country camping area and I had a large fire already going and saw him in the distance trying to gather wood to build one for himself so I yelled for him to come over and share mine. The guy had some fascinating stories. We sat up talking by the fire for hours. I always thought about doing something like that since I've pretty much stayed single without kids. I think I'm a little too old now for that kind of adventure.
Love this, applied to be a pilot with the 109th, I live right down the road and my friend used to be sqdrn cmdr. Thanks for serving and sharing! Very informative. Looks fun.
Thank you for your service~~I served 30yrs, loved every minute/hour/day/month/years....I joined the AF and saw the whole world, for free~The best part was the people, we had some fun~~
We had the Dorm Chief and a Squad Leader go AWOL in basic training in Lackland. Could not believe it. I think that was one reason we didn’t make honorary flight, lol.
I was a youngster in the 1960's growing up in North Kingstown, RI which is where Quonset Point NAS was located. My Father was retired from the Navy but many of my friends Fathers went to Mcmurdo regularly. They brought back the coolest cold weather gear. Interesting time to be alive.
I'll freely admit I'm an idiot when it comes to this stuff, so here's my idiot question: If it takes of with skis attached to the wheels, I assume that means it has to land someplace with a snow or ice runway, how does it then transition from ski's to just wheels at some point since I assume eventually it's landing in a non-snow or ice covered runway?
The skis are retractable, so if you land on a regular runway you just don't bring them down. So the pilot can toggle between wheels or skis 😅 The skis are attached permanently, if you want to land on wheels they will just go lower then where the skis are.
@@ZayPolanco kenn Borek is out of Calgary, it was just such a small aircraft in the background hence my query on if it was Kenn Borek. Be safe Brother 💂♂️🪖⛑️🏴🇨🇦
Good work. Fun fact: The U.S.A.F. maintains the Operation Deep programme out of Christchurch, New Zealand. There is a section of tarmac next to the international terminal where the R.N.Z.A.F. and U.S.A.F. have operations side by side. The International Antarctic Centre is just across Orchard Road. I work across the road at one of the rental car yards, so I see U.S.A.F. planes coming and going on a regular basis. We see your C-130's and C-17's a lot - I think I saw 3 C-130's on the tarmac when I was working on Thursday.
It was definitely different when it was ran by the navy. I made 3 deployments to the ice, 83’~85’ including 2 winflys (early deployments). Looks pretty nice compared to what was in place during my tours there, but then again it’s ran by the Air Force now.
Took two trips down to "Mactown" while on the Star and had a blast. Weirdest thing was closing the EM Club at 11:00pm (This was when the navy was still down there) and seeing the sun still out like it was 2 in the afternoon.
My daughter is there right now. She is in the Coast Guard on the Polar Star. This is her second tour there. Last year she ran a 5 k run at McMurdo. Thank you for the video and for your service to our country.
Thats awesome, i met alot of great people that was on the polar star. I may have crossed paths or even sparked a conversation. She's awesome for participating in the 5K. Thank you.
Nice! So she would have flown out through my hometown Christchurch in New Zealand, where the U.S. maintains its Operation Deep Freeze. It's literally across the road from where I work.
@@robertglennienz She didn't fly out. Her ship left the western US Pacific coast and she sailed to Antarctica. I think they did stop in New Zealand though on the way.
@@claybowser698 So how did she come ashore then at McMurdo? I am asking because the Ross Ice Shelf, which covers about 200,000 square miles including much of the maritime approach to McMurdo and the New Zealand Scott Base.
How do you perceive the existence of outer lands beyond the ice, and how might exploring them contribute to our understanding of Earth's geography, its place in the universe, and the potential presence of other suns or celestial phenomena beyond these distant boundaries?
@@ZayPolanco Neat. This is super-cool. I didn't realize that there was this modular aspect to these planes. I figured they were like dedicated pontoon planes. A whole lot of extra engineering must go into this. Stay safe!
about 15 years ago I knew a woman who wintered over 2 years in a row, she was in logistics. Met her in Colorado when she was back stateside. She told stories of fun and cold
And this cold wasteland was once roamed by life, and had all kinds of flora, its crazy if you think about it. I mean, who knows what is beneath all this ice...
Great video brother. Probably a dumb question but how did you pay your home bills from there with bad internet and do things like renew car insurance. All autopay or just waited until you got back?
This is so awesome! I was in the army and now looking back it would have been awesome to be in the air force and flying in planes going to cool places.
Meh, can’t be cold at all, often without gloves on and no frozen breath vapor. Here in northern Canada our winter temperatures often exceed temperatures at the South Pole.
Awesome video. If it's possible can you describe civilian jobs in Antarctica? Not sure how much you work with them being in the service, but I am interested in learning what is available. Stay warm
Seems to he a good tour station but for the isolation and horrendous storms when everything is frozen and you can't even see where you are from the white outs.
I'm a graphic designer that works from home and gets easily stressed out. Crazy to see videos like this where the stress is about 10 times as high and you act like it's no big deal. Keep on keeping on!
Fun Fact- the word Arctic refers to bears and Antarctic the lack of bears. But they aren’t referring to polar bears that’s is just a happy coincidence.
Isn’t that where you go if your a pest somewhere else?Or is that Minot AFB N.Dakota?😂 My dad retired from the 104th FW/131st FS Westfield Massachusetts…he started out working on F-105s at Takhli RTAB Thailand from Moody AFB. GA..then came back to Massachusetts and joined ANG full/Time worked on F-100s there then School in NY for A-10s then in charge of egress on A-10A also DCC on 78-0632 on TDYs…he retired w/ 26yrs E-9 Aerospace Chief…Good Luck in the AF..
I spent 9 years in England in the Air Force Security Police, Had it rough! Lived in Oxford with a 300 year old Pub out my back garden. When my British Friends asked what I did in the Air Force I'd say "I watch everyone else work"!
I'm the guy in the forklift. Thanks for sharing the clips with me! It's awesome to see it from your perspective
Are the operators out there part of the International Union of Operating Engineers?
Are you a 2t2?
Liar
Have you seen the icewall yet?
Its there. Some people call it the antarctic shelf
I spent 7 months in Antarctica. Home based at McMurdo, but my job took me all over the continent. The food at the mess hall at McMurdo was some of the best in the world. We ate like Kings everyday, 3 times a day. If you didn't see what you wanted, you asked and t hey would make it. Prime Rib, Lobster, shrimp, burgers, etc. it was all there. AAA+++
Spoken like a true Airman. Lol
apparently not anymore...
Afghanistan or Antarctica DFAC. Which was better
They good food is an incentive to keep your there. 😂
You ate lobster and had a good time, that’s great. Now what kind of important scientific discoveries has the people your working for found?
These are the guys that make our military run and never get the credit for what they do, thank you all!
Back in the 80s, there was a need for an ET to TDY on a USCG Polar Class icebreaker. So, of course, I “volunteer” 😂. We went down to Antarctica-the best tour of duty in my eight years in the USCG. Sir, much respect to you and your mates, thank you for your service, and stay safe 🙏
I was there for Operation Deep Freeze 68-67 on the USCGC Glacier.
Operation Deep Freeze 87-88 U.S. Army. Isolated Duty Nome, Alaska 00-01 USCG
I randomly met a guy that had worked down there clearing a runway. We were both solo camping in mid winter at the same back country camping area and I had a large fire already going and saw him in the distance trying to gather wood to build one for himself so I yelled for him to come over and share mine. The guy had some fascinating stories. We sat up talking by the fire for hours. I always thought about doing something like that since I've pretty much stayed single without kids. I think I'm a little too old now for that kind of adventure.
Love this, applied to be a pilot with the 109th, I live right down the road and my friend used to be sqdrn cmdr. Thanks for serving and sharing! Very informative. Looks fun.
What a great video! Thank you for the film. Especially for representing US and the team down there.
Thank you for your service~~I served 30yrs, loved every minute/hour/day/month/years....I joined the AF and saw the whole world, for free~The best part was the people, we had some fun~~
That is awesome! Thank you for your service. The traveling and meeting some of the best people is def some of the best part about the AF
Amazing story!! Thank you for sharing and serving!! God Bless you and the others that are stationed with you...
So awesome to see what you guys do. Thank you for your service
Lol what service? Seems like most of them just move pallets around, eat food and support scientists who discover nothing of importance.
Enjoyed my time at McMurdo, great to see Williams Field again! Thanks for the video
I am guessing the most popular movie down there is The Thing! Lol
hahaha you would think right but we watched it once down here
It’s one of my all time favorite movies ever.
Retired from the USAF 23 years ago. One thing's for certain. No one goes AWOL. God Bless You my friend.
Absolutely! Thank you sir. God bless you as well
We had the Dorm Chief and a Squad Leader go AWOL in basic training in Lackland. Could not believe it. I think that was one reason we didn’t make honorary flight, lol.
I was a youngster in the 1960's growing up in North Kingstown, RI which is where Quonset Point NAS was located. My Father was retired from the Navy but many of my friends Fathers went to Mcmurdo regularly. They brought back the coolest cold weather gear. Interesting time to be alive.
Love the guys who don’t let weather bother them. Good job people good job. Way to lead. what great examples.
Thank you! Its actually nice to be outside and work through all the elements
Great video. Thank you for your service!
I'll freely admit I'm an idiot when it comes to this stuff, so here's my idiot question: If it takes of with skis attached to the wheels, I assume that means it has to land someplace with a snow or ice runway, how does it then transition from ski's to just wheels at some point since I assume eventually it's landing in a non-snow or ice covered runway?
The skis are retractable, so if you land on a regular runway you just don't bring them down. So the pilot can toggle between wheels or skis 😅
The skis are attached permanently, if you want to land on wheels they will just go lower then where the skis are.
Yup, thats exactly it
In Great Lakes in 1979 it was (just for one morning) -73F (with windchill). Can’t imagine that for weeks. Seems awesome and elite.
5:54 red aircraft in the back ground is that a Canadian Kenn Borek Air Ltd Aircraft? Out of Calgary Alberta? 💂♂️🪖⛑️🏴🇨🇦
Yes its a Kenn Borek Twin Otter. Im not sure if its calgary but def canada
@@ZayPolanco kenn Borek is out of Calgary, it was just such a small aircraft in the background hence my query on if it was Kenn Borek. Be safe Brother 💂♂️🪖⛑️🏴🇨🇦
God Bless You! I spent 3.5 years in West Germany during the Cold War. Last 18 months at Ramstein,
Gotta say Mr. Polanco, that was a really nice video. You take care.
Thank you Юьщр for sharing moments from your everyday life that most of us don't get to experience in our lifetime. Be healthy and good luck!
Good work. Fun fact: The U.S.A.F. maintains the Operation Deep programme out of Christchurch, New Zealand. There is a section of tarmac next to the international terminal where the R.N.Z.A.F. and U.S.A.F. have operations side by side. The International Antarctic Centre is just across Orchard Road.
I work across the road at one of the rental car yards, so I see U.S.A.F. planes coming and going on a regular basis.
We see your C-130's and C-17's a lot - I think I saw 3 C-130's on the tarmac when I was working on Thursday.
Does everyone work together to make sure systems r working like power and phone lines
Great experience your having. Very few people ever get to set foot down in the Antarctic. Thanks for your service.
It was definitely different when it was ran by the navy. I made 3 deployments to the ice, 83’~85’ including 2 winflys (early deployments). Looks pretty nice compared to what was in place during my tours there, but then again it’s ran by the Air Force now.
How did you get stationed there
A true professional who knows how to get stuff done right.
I lived at Willy in the early 90s. Back and forth from Willy to the Ice runway. VXE-6 Engine shop. Great times.
Thats awesome. I wonder how much its change from then and now
Which officer did you piss off to make you go there?
Lol none of that, i wanted to be there
I was there in 2000. I flew down on C-131 number 0492, flew back on a C-141 (number unknown). Fab experience, would love to go back.
92 is still going back there till to this day haha hopefully youd get to go back soon
Great video, super interesting. 🙏for your service to the country!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you
The Air National Guard is only there in the summer time, its hard to hard for them to be there in the winter.
Very different than when I was there 30 years ago flying on the Herc’s in VXE-6
Haha yes, things have changed
Took two trips down to "Mactown" while on the Star and had a blast. Weirdest thing was closing the EM Club at 11:00pm (This was when the navy was still down there) and seeing the sun still out like it was 2 in the afternoon.
You can keep your airport job while joining the guard. You just gotta look for a guard base closes to you
What is being hooked to the center of the propeller?
Its a heater to warm up the engines
Really great video, thank you.
Informative, educational, and your sound track is pretty good too.
Thank you!! I really appreciate the kind words.
What is the warmest day you ever seen in Antarctica?
Are you what we in the Navy were called a "Line Dawg" or a Plane Captain?
Yes i heard of that term before
The blue sky is amazing. Thanks for sharing this.
Yes, its really magnificent! Thank you
My daughter is there right now. She is in the Coast Guard on the Polar Star. This is her second tour there. Last year she ran a 5 k run at McMurdo. Thank you for the video and for your service to our country.
Thats awesome, i met alot of great people that was on the polar star. I may have crossed paths or even sparked a conversation. She's awesome for participating in the 5K. Thank you.
Nice! So she would have flown out through my hometown Christchurch in New Zealand, where the U.S. maintains its Operation Deep Freeze. It's literally across the road from where I work.
@@robertglennienz She didn't fly out. Her ship left the western US Pacific coast and she sailed to Antarctica. I think they did stop in New Zealand though on the way.
@@claybowser698 So how did she come ashore then at McMurdo? I am asking because the Ross Ice Shelf, which covers about 200,000 square miles including much of the maritime approach to McMurdo and the New Zealand Scott Base.
@@robertglennienz She is on an ice breaker ship that breaks all the ice for the supply ships to come into McMurdo.
Looks like a great assignment. USAF vet here. I would volunteer for that assignment. Stay safe and warm!
It was def a great experience and to be able to say you went to Antarctica. Thank you!
How long is the mission there normally?
Awesome video man! Love it
Thank you! We get out of there before winter hits
@@ZayPolanco must be so amazingly cool in the winter too! Id love to be able to experience it for a year
Can civilians that work there use that gym??? Like if you’re a production cook can you use it
Yeah, anyone who is on station is free to use the gym
i am curious. I thought Antarctica was all research scientists. What does the Air National Guard do down there?
Fly stuff in and out.
We get the researchers to Antarctica and deliver supplies
My dad never did time at “Mudhole”, but over-wintered at Palmer back in 1970 with OPERATION:DEEP FREEZE.
Me: Outpost 31 from 1981 to 1982.
4:00 you guys get ćevapi for breakfast? How can I join?!
Im not sure but its some kind of sausage lol you can def reach out to a recruiter in my base
I'm thinking about applying for a construction job over there next year
Was stationed there in 1986. Alot of changes
Love this Content Zee.
Thanks Nic! I appreciate it
New York Air Guard in Antarctica ? And, Where do the, frly from there ? South America, or New Sealand ?
New Zealand
My son's down there now... 2nd go round. He builds and maintains the runways...
Thats amazing, i mightve run into him then haha
Curious how power is generated there? Wind and solar?
or with the old petrol engine way....
I believe the majority of power is diesel generators.
How do you perceive the existence of outer lands beyond the ice, and how might exploring them contribute to our understanding of Earth's geography, its place in the universe, and the potential presence of other suns or celestial phenomena beyond these distant boundaries?
have u ever worked with 331? its an army watercraft unit.
Is the WiFi free now for everyone? If so, is there a limit to how much Data you can use in a month ??
you have a great job, and thank you for serving our country!
Thank you! I def do love my job as a crew chief
Do they have a library?
Yes they do
Wait, there's a variant of this plane with skis? How do they land states-side?
They have wheels as well
Yes, we just lower the wheels while keeping the skis in the up position
@@ZayPolanco Neat. This is super-cool. I didn't realize that there was this modular aspect to these planes. I figured they were like dedicated pontoon planes. A whole lot of extra engineering must go into this. Stay safe!
loving the content bro, just subscribed!
about 15 years ago I knew a woman who wintered over 2 years in a row, she was in logistics. Met her in Colorado when she was back stateside. She told stories of fun and cold
And this cold wasteland was once roamed by life, and had all kinds of flora, its crazy if you think about it. I mean, who knows what is beneath all this ice...
Im sure theyre doing all the studies beneath the ice
Home sweet home. Good to see it again.
Thank you, you dont plan on going back?
Don't know. I'd like to, we'll see what's in the cards. @@ZayPolanco
What is your rotation up there?
12 hours on 12 hours off
Thanks for the video. I'm going down there soon and was wondering what type of goggles and sunglasses you'd recommend while there?
Great video brother.
Probably a dumb question but how did you pay your home bills from there with bad internet and do things like renew car insurance. All autopay or just waited until you got back?
I was shocked that you could handle an aluminum ladder with bare hands ..., not so cold after all or do I miss something ?
This is so awesome! I was in the army and now looking back it would have been awesome to be in the air force and flying in planes going to cool places.
Absolutely! This is def a very unique opportunity to fly out here
Wait, they put NP2000 props on the skibirds??????????
Great Video. Thanks for sharing. You are blessed to work/stay there
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I really do feel blessed to have the opportunity to do so
So awesome. This is the recruiting content the armed forces needs. Hard work, good life.
Though…the food! Sir where are the greens!?
I was thinking the same thing! I did see a few sad string beans hiding in fear near the fried chicken :)
It's hard to get vegetables there. My guess is that the crew takes vitamins and fiber to make up for the lack of greens.
The supermarket is just down the road with fresh fruit and vegetables..
Said no one ever
Great video! What is the population in Antarctica?
About 1,000 people in McMurdo Station
@ZayPolanco How is the cost of living there. I would imagine it would be peaceful there.
Are there Security Forces defenders assigned over there as well?
Meh, can’t be cold at all, often without gloves on and no frozen breath vapor. Here in northern Canada our winter temperatures often exceed temperatures at the South Pole.
I know it may sound cliche, but thank you for what you do for USA.
Us armed forces- the yank deity followed closely by the dollar.
Thank you, its really appreciated
Sir, pure where you come from sir?
Awesome video. If it's possible can you describe civilian jobs in Antarctica? Not sure how much you work with them being in the service, but I am interested in learning what is available. Stay warm
Awesome stuff! Well done boys.
Lord Bless you Brother!
One of the few things that could pull me out of retirement ( Army ) is doing just a single tour there.
🙏
10/10 content 🔥
thank you! I really appreciate that
From your perspective is the earth flat or globe?
Bro what did you do to get those fucked up orders!!!!??
Hey Zay, was there a 24 hr Sun in sky
What is the least favorite thing about the pole
There isnt much but if i had to pick it would be working outside with high winds
why did you cut the cold start :(
So Cool.... This is so cool!!!🤩🤩🤩
I would love and hate to be working in a place like this
Dang what did you do wrong to be sent to Antarctica!
Lol nothing, i wanted to be in Antarctica
Seems to he a good tour station but for the isolation and horrendous storms when everything is frozen and you can't even see where you are from the white outs.
Hey, Thanks for your service to our country. God bless America. Great Video!
Thank you kindly! I really appreciate the kind words
is this argentine ice station ?
Was that 106 air guard from gabreski?
Where’s the space ships 🤨😆
I'm a graphic designer that works from home and gets easily stressed out. Crazy to see videos like this where the stress is about 10 times as high and you act like it's no big deal. Keep on keeping on!
Haha it's all in a day's work here
Honestly, some of the best assignments are remote assignments. 7502nd MUNSS Noervenich AB Germany 91-93. Loved it
Got bored and googled 'life in antarctica' for funsies. Pleasant surprise to see the 109th. Scotia born and raised!
Are you Air Force or contractor?
Air force!!!!
Fun Fact- the word Arctic refers to bears and Antarctic the lack of bears. But they aren’t referring to polar bears that’s is just a happy coincidence.
hahaha i thought they coined that on purpose lol
@@ZayPolanco me too, turned out that the bear in question was a star constellation
Isn’t that where you go if your a pest somewhere else?Or is that Minot AFB N.Dakota?😂 My dad retired from the 104th FW/131st FS Westfield Massachusetts…he started out working on F-105s at Takhli RTAB Thailand from Moody AFB. GA..then came back to Massachusetts and joined ANG full/Time worked on F-100s there then School in NY for A-10s then in charge of egress on A-10A also DCC on 78-0632 on TDYs…he retired w/ 26yrs E-9 Aerospace Chief…Good Luck in the AF..
I spent 9 years in England in the Air Force Security Police, Had it rough! Lived in Oxford with a 300 year old Pub out my back garden. When my British Friends asked what I did in the Air Force I'd say "I watch everyone else work"!