Australia's role in AGAP
Years of planning and intense co-operation between national Antarctic operators was required to mount this hugely ambitious scientific expedition. Fuel, food, tents, weather havens, equipment and other supplies at two deep-field camps, known as AGAP North and AGAP South ensured that the science teams could work safely and effectively in the sub-zero temperatures.
The Australian Antarctic Division contributed a range of resources to AGAP, including personnel, food, vehicles, medical and communications equipment at the north camp, and a C-212 aircraft and helicopters to assist with the logistics of the project.
The Australian team set up and staffed a field camp at AGAP North, approximately 1000 kilometres from Davis and at 3000 metres in altitude. The camp was close to Dome Argus, the highest point on the Antarctic plateau. Expeditioners spent a week preparing a two kilometre skiway suitable for Twin Otter (UK), Basler (Germany) and C-212 (Australia) light aircraft operations.
Four hundred and fifty fuel drums were dropped into the camp by parachute from a US C17 aircraft flying from Christchurch. The drums were retrieved and moved to the skiway ready for refuelling operations.
Watch the video below to see Sharon Labudda, Aircraft Ground Support Officer, talk about the challenges of establishing a skiway in the field:
Australia's C-212 resupplied and then recovered the people and camp. At the end of the project, expeditioners returned to Hobart by ship and A319 aircraft. A Chinese traverse returning from the summit of Dome A retrieved the waste and heavy cargo from the camp site at the end of the season.
Field camp near Davis station
Photo: Frederique Olivier | |
C-212 aircraft flying over Lanyon Junction skiway
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'Tractor quad' used for skiway grooming
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