Operation Deep Freeze - 1950's US Air Force Polar Pilots, Can you ID these men and their mission?

[Salvage Sailor]

Aloha Everyone,

 

I'm working towards some individual identities of a USAF Aircrew who participated in one of the Operation Deep Freeze missions in the mid 1950's.  This group was transported to Antarctica aboard the Navy icebreaker USS GLACIER (AGB-4).  Prior to her transfer to the USCG, GLACIER participated in 11 (yes, eleven) expeditions so this could be any one of them.

 

Take a look at the details and see if any of this looks familiar.

 

1.  Command Group, either prior to or after departure.  Four individuals.  A Naval Aviator in Greens, A Navy Captain, USAF Colonel, and another USAF Officer of unknown rank.

 

 

 

Naval Aviator in Greens - Fabric Pilot Wings and Ribbons

 

 

 

Navy Captain in Blues with rope and ribbons

 

 

 

Air Force Colonel - Senior Pilot Wings and Ribbons

 

 

 

USAF Officer - Command Pilot Wings and Ribbons

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

2.  The USAF Aircrew - Operation Deep Freeze (X) Unknown year of expedition.  Photograph of the Aircrew. 

One Major (or LTC), four captains, one lieutenant (navigator?) and one enlisted airman.  The pilot in the right foreground is wearing a senior parachutist badge.

 

 

I'm thinking this is after their return due to the new shiny uniforms and the facial hair.  Anyone pick up on some details?

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

The USAF Aircrew aboard the Navy icebreaker USS GLACIER (AGB-4)

 

3.  The Paratrooper - USAF Captain with Pilot Wings and Senior Parachutist Badge

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

4.  The Senior Navigator

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

5. Senior Pilot - Major or LTC

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

6.  Senior Pilot - USAF Captain

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

Last photo from the group.  I believe this is an NZ Officer in New Zealand. 

 

 

Lyttelton Antarctic Support Base, Christchurch, NZ

 

It wasn't until the initial stages of Operation Deep Freeze that Christchurch began to be heavily used again. Harewood Airport, now Christchurch International Airport, was the base for 14 of the aircraft involved in the first flights between New Zealand and the Antarctic in December 1955 (four others were based at Taieri Airport, near Dunedin), while Lyttelton was the base for seven supporting United States Navy vessels.  (Including the USS GLACIER)  Operation Deep Freeze was subsequently supported by many New Zealand ports, but its New Zealand base remained in Christchurch.  Regular support missions continue to be flown from the airport, while the port is used to refuel and replenish supply vessels.

 

 

Note the 'O N' signage in the background.   Lyttelton New Zealand.  There is also a pier for the Shaw Savill (Shipping) Line on the right and one of their ships on the left.  The steamship funnel is Buff with a black top which are the Line colors.

 

This NZ Officer with his sleds is standing on a pier in Lyttleton waiting for a lift.

 

On the USS GLACIER?  Or with the USAF flying from the Christchurch area.?

 

Are these USAF Senior Pilots and Senior Navigators flying out of Harewood Airport and/or Taieri Airport on resupply runs?