This week at Casey we say goodbye to some and hello to others while the fog rolls in

Operations.with Nick

What a dynamic week it has been in the operations world!

Kicking things off the Aircraft Ground Support Officer team go straight to work setting up Casey Ski Landing Area ready to accept GCX and JKB Baslers which had travelled all the way from Calgary in Canada for the Antarctic summer. It wasn’t long at all and Dean and the team were fully prepared to start accepting aircraft. First we saw the Chinese Basler GCX arrive and settle in for a few nights, shortly followed by JKB from Davis research station all in anticipation for the A319 Airbus to connect passengers to Zhongshan and Davis.

A few weather delays put holes in our meticulously planned operation, the 72nd ANARE eager to depart for Hobart; adjust, plan, rinse and repeat! After some very late nights the weather lined up, the two Basler’s popped up to Wilkins to meet the A319 Airbus, only for the fog to roll in, jaws dropped as the aircraft circled…. The sky’s opened up, exactly as planned; aircraft landed, passengers and cargo loaded and a quick departure, seamless!

We now await the arrival of the first C17 Globemaster for the summer, shortly followed by another A319 Airbus, weather permitting of course.

Nick, Operations Coordinator 

Nick Watt this years Operations Coordinator stands next to one of the white boards he has set up with operational information in the wallow at Casey
The infrastructure at Gasey ski landing area up on the plateau not far from station
JKB and GCX Baslers on the apron at Wilkins waiting for the A319 Airbus
The two Baslers at Wilkins disappearing in the fog
The A319 landing at Wilkins Aerodrome with two Baslers on the apron
The 2018 −19 wintering expedtioners at Wilkins before departing Antarctica for Hobart

Casey Picturebook

This week we finally had a decent fall of snow for the first time since arriving at Casey. After falling for most of the day, the next it cleared to blindingly sunny clear blue skies, again……

First snow fall at Casey for the newly arrived expeditoners this season
A blanket of snow covers a ute outside the red shed at Casey
Snowflakes on ice at Casey this week
Sunrise through the windows of the Red Shed a Casey
on