A Royal Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft conducted a series of airdrops to resupply survey depots in Antarctica.
According to the Royal Air Force here, these missions ensured the safe and accurate delivery of vital supplies required to sustain British Antarctic Survey’s scientific research programmes on the continent.
“In order to complete the 2900 nautical mile journey, the C-130 required air-to-air refuelling, which was provided by a RAF Voyager aircraft.”
Dave Wattam, Head of the British Antarctic Survey Polar Operations, was quoted as saying:
“The support from the Falkland Islands has been integral to the successful delivery of an extremely challenging and complex Antarctic season. In particular the Ministry of Defence has delivered a package of support without which we would not have been able to achieve British Antarctic Survey’s mission.
From aircraft and ship operations to passenger and cargo movements, all these elements have come together thanks to the hard work and flexibility of our Ministry of Defence colleagues in the Falklands. I am very grateful to everyone involved in helping keep our staff safe and ensuring British Antarctic Survey’s programme of world class science has been able to continue.”
You can read more from the RAF here.
The British Overseas Territories are wonderful partners for the UK assisting to easily access many remote corners of the globe to the benefit of the British family and others
Will be sad to see the Hercules retired-a great aircraft filling a niche role
Well technically under the Antarctic Treaty we have frozen our claim.
Having been to Antarctica it is imperative everyone works together to keep the treaty functioning and in force for decades to come. China and Russia are a massive threat to the treaty and not exploiting this almost pristine place. The number of Argentine ‘research stations’ on the peninsula is comical. They even have a kindergarten for Argentine children.
Sadly most have frozen their claims only in name and I would think that the environment is bottom of the priorities list for some who have a presence there!
I note we used Hercs for this……what happened to the A400M on this occasion?
That’s a good point, I wondered the same. Looks like a Herc was flown down especially: https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-brize-norton/news/raf-c-130-hercules-heads-to-antarctica/
I do wonder why they didn’t use the A400M already there?
The A400M is out of service atm I believe, A second A400M just a couple days ago left UK to deliver a spare engine.
C-17 flew via Brazil/Dakar last week and a Voyager flew via Brazil with Mil callsign as well? GJ flew usual route as well? with such a major supply distance would have thought would keep spare engine at MPN
I saw C-17/Voyager flight as well, Wasn’t sure Voyager could carry the engine it’s self? ZM403 just returning as we speak from Dakar so assumed that flight would have carried the replacement.
Nah as usually we saved couple of quid and didn’t get any Voyagers with freight doors to carry 463L/AML pallets so can’t carry anything over about 5’ high 🙁 as one Voyager did BZZ – MPN direct (assume light payload) and regularly do Dakar – MPN not sure what they could carry to reduce range that much dangerously i assumed Voyager was doing trail? an c-17 was providing route support?
We don’t have spare engines, it will either be a module removed from an Atlas on major servicing or its been robbed of a Unserviceable machine. We used to have a team in the Air Force known as heavy recs who’s job was to make sure we could get a spare to anywhere in the world.
I was going off this Twitter exchange https://twitter.com/LeadershipNext1/status/1487566362306396161
Surely the RAF can still fly spares out to wherever they are needed?
Of course they can, we don’t have spares sitting around anymore it costs money, aircraft get robbed of spares if you have one sitting around unserviceable or on majors.
Mark, I am confused. You said RAF used to have a team (heavy recs) meaning they don’t exist now – but say of course RAF can fly spares to anywhere.
Heavy recs are still exist sorry for the confusion.
The A400 is still at an embryonic stage of it’s airdrop capability, whatever RAF social media says about it. Don’t worry, it will definitely be ready to take over all of the Hercs capabilities in 14 months, a senior officer said so and got promoted for saying so…
I would like see us keep all Hercules
far too useful an asset I know people
will say they need updated but if it’s
affordable why not
I think most will agree with you!
Mate, you have my vote!
C130s will be flying for decades to come. They are easily updateable.
Another short sighted decision to take an axe to the Herks.
Oh no, the Herc was refuelled by a Private plane. Shock horror, don’t let the Tabloids find out
I don’t get the joke. Voyager is an RAF aircraft.
Good Job we spend so much money and carbon making sure we are always at war. Thanks to the government for war propergation