NSF PA/M 02-26 - May 15, 2002
Public, Press Invited to Visit Unique, Ski-Equipped
NSF Aircraft at Air Show May 18th
Ski-equipped LC-130 transport aircraft are workhorse
planes for the National Science Foundation's Office
of Polar Programs. The "Hercs," are the only planes
capable of ferrying the tons of cargo needed to rebuild
the U.S. research station at the South Pole from NSF's
coastal McMurdo Station to Amundsen-Scott South Pole
Station. They also fly ice cores thousands of years
old down from the Greenland ice cap so they can be
analyzed in labs worldwide and ferry thousands of
researchers and logistics personnel between New Zealand
and Antarctica every year.
As part of the annual Department of Defense Joint Service
Open House held at Andrews Air Force Base, MD, on
May 18, members of the public will be able to see
an LC-130, as flown for NSF by the 109th
Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard. The
Guard is the only unit in the world that flies the
ski-equipped Hercules.
In addition to seeing this unusual airplane, members
of the public will be able view exhibits about science
in the Polar regions. Children will also be able to
try on parkas worn by participants in the U.S. Antarctic
Program.
NOTE: Due to increased security, access requirements
for the media are different this year. For full information,
see http://www.andrews.af.mil/jsoh/MEDIA.htm
What:
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NSF ski-equipped LC-130 transport aircraft
Joint Service Open House
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When:
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May 18, 2002
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Where:
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Andrews Air Force Base
Clinton, Md.
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For more information contact:
Peter West (703) 292-8070/pwest@nsf.gov
Andrews AFB Joint Information Bureau (JIB), (301)
981-5950 or (301) 981-9131
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