The first flight of the 2020-2021 austral summer season arrived to Phoenix Airfield on September 14, 2020, after a three week delay due to weather. The 106 U.S. Antarctic Program participants had left the United States on 7 August, with a planned two weeks in isolation after arrival to New Zealand to reduce the risk of introducing COVID-19 to the continent. Antarctic snow storms with hurricane force winds in late August delayed the scheduled transport of personnel and cargo until mid-September.
The U.S. Air Force out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord provides the heavy airlift for the U.S. Antarctic Program.
Jeff Capps
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