Operation Deep Freeze

Base Ops calling Ice 01/02 for radio checks on 257.050. Also heard with Mac Center. Activity is related to Operation Deep Freeze WinFly: McChord Airmen back in action supporting Operation Deep Freeze  

Operation Deep Freeze activity continues on 261.725. This time we have Polar 01 wkg Deep Freeze Ops with off deck report. Flight heading to NZIR (McMurdo Sea ice runway Airport)  

261.725 PAC: Reach 6E3 calling Charleston ROF for satcom radio check.  

McChord Aircraft 218 wkg Deep Freeze Ops with satcom radio checks. Additional radio testing done using callsigns Deep Freeze 1 and Deep Freeze 2 and attempts to raise Aircraft 217 w/ no joy.  

Had some voice comms today on 261.725 from Christchurch, Charleston ROF and Mac Center. This is usually the start of the Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze activity, however it sounds like this season may be in jeopardy due to the government shutdown in the United States. What a shame!  

Each year around this time, the Operation Deep Freeze “Ice flights” turn up on satcom for their mid-winter supply run down to Antarctica. Caught them this week getting their radios out and trying to make them work. Players logged include: Ice 01, Deep Freeze Ops and Charleston.  

263.625 PAC: Skier 85 calling Mac Center several times on satcom. Skier 85 originally advised they were unable to contact Auckland (on HF) and requests Mac Center to relay their position report.  

Finally had some Operation Deep Freeze satcom traffic from Skier 32 wkg Mac Center for a radio check. Not much satcom voice activity this year from these guys.  

Found some old Operation Deep Freeze scanner recordings that I had taken around 2001 or 2002. I think they were using the old FLTSATCOM freq 261.750 at the time. Believe it or not, these were recorded using nothing more than a discone antenna in the attic of my apartment when I was living in San Diego.

Base Ops giving weather report for NZIR – McMurdo Station.  

Ice 09 forced to cancel mission due to poor weather and visibility.  

Caught this funny exchange between Ice 22 and Deep Freeze Ops about the US Presidential Election. Ice 22’s response is priceless!