ANTARCTIC MISSION

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31009, 15 March 1966, Page 18

ANTARCTIC MISSION

Review By Commander Tribute to the efforts of the men who took part in United States Antarctic operations for the 1965-66 season, and particularly members of VX6 Squadron, was paid by RearAdmiral F. E. Bakutis, commander of the Naval support force, in an address to the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society last evening. Admiral Bakutis said that the tragic aircraft accident near the close of the season should not be allowed to detract from the magnificent effort of VX6 Squadron. Admiral Bakutis said that the only unsuccessful aspect of the operation had been the failure to accomplish more than 40 per cent of the photomapping programme. It was hoped that nest season messages from the Esso II satellite received at McMurdo Station would eliminate many fruitless flights by giving pictures of those areas covered by cloud. “By and large we accomplished more than we thought we would,” Admiral Bakutis said. “Among the most significant operations was the outstanding airlift accomplished by our Hercules aircraft. Admiral Bakutis said the Hercules aircraft had flown 4427 hours during the five months of the operations. This represented 221 hours a month an aircraft, or an average of 7.4 hours flying each dav There had been 190 airlifts to Byrd Station, 170 to the South Pole Station, and 52 to the Plateau Station. In A Week.—A house made! completely of plastic panels > was erected in Darfield, | Northern England, in 11 days.