Press Statement - October 5,1999

PS 99-19
Media contact:	Peter West	(703) 292-8070	pwest@nsf.gov

Statement by Dr. Karl A. Erb
Director Office of Polar Programs
National Science Foundation

Status of South Pole Medical Situation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has requested that the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard deploy to Antarctica and conduct a flight to the South Pole to bring out the physician at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The physician, Dr. Jerri Nielsen, has been carrying out her normal responsibilities since the U.S. Air Force air drop of medical supplies in July.

Her stateside physicians are now recommending to us that she be returned to the United States at the earliest safe opportunity. The onset of summer in Antarctica, with its gradual increase in sunlight and temperature, makes it feasible to evacuate Dr. Nielsen and to replace her with another physician.

The 109th provides logistical support to the U.S. Antarctic Program, which is administered by NSF. It is the only organization in the world that flies the ski-equipped LC-130s, which are the only aircraft capable of landing at South Pole at this time of year.

NSF anticipates that the operation will be conducted in accordance with criteria developed by the 109th to minimize risks to the aircrew and to the aircraft under the weather conditions characteristic of the South Pole at this time of year.

Two aircraft and three aircrews will depart from Stratton Air National Guard Base in Schenectady, N.Y. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1999. They are expected to arrive at NSF's McMurdo Station in Antarctica on or around Oct. 12, where they will await favorable conditions to fly the roughly 800 miles to the Pole.

Related News:

• Fact Sheet: South Pole Medical Air Drop/Images from Amundsen-Scott Station