Nevada Air National Guard’s High Rollers join Operation Deep Freeze for the first time

Flying from Christchurch, New Zealand, the High Rollers encountered rapidly changing weather conditions that delayed their initial mission until 18 December. Despite the challenges, they successfully transported 39 passengers and essential cargo to McMurdo Station, providing much-needed support to the 139th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, also known as the “Raven Gang.”

The Raven Gang operates LC-130 aircraft equipped with skis, allowing them to land on Antarctica’s snow and ice-covered runways. Their responsibilities include resupply missions between Christchurch and McMurdo Station, as well as intra-Antarctic flights to remote research stations and the South Pole.

Due to the demanding nature of these operations, the High Rollers’ involvement helped ease the strain on the New York Air National Guard unit. Senior Master Sgt. Dave Ricks, Superintendent of the 139th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, welcomed the additional support, emphasising the importance of shared responsibilities in such challenging conditions.

While a C-17 unit from Washington State supports these missions during the winter, rising temperatures in the summer often make Antarctic runways too soft for their landings. The addition of the High Rollers’ C-130 Hercules aircraft offers greater flexibility and resilience in maintaining supply routes.

Col. Catherine Grush, commander of the 152nd Airlift Wing, expressed hope that this collaboration would become a long-term partnership. She highlighted the importance of working closely with the New York Air National Guard and the National Science Foundation to ensure continued support for Antarctic operations.

The High Rollers’ debut in Operation Deep Freeze marks a significant step in strengthening the U.S. military’s ability to operate in Antarctica.