It took three long years, countless obstacles, and a whirlwind of emotions to finally reach this moment. But as the wheels of the C-17 hit the runway in Antarctica, I knew that all the waiting, the doubts, and the delays had led me to something truly extraordinary. It felt like stepping foot on another planet.
The journey began on a crisp morning in Hobart. The 3am call, waiting in the dark on the side of the road for the bus ride to the airport, and the tedious security check-in process—it all seemed like a blur. But then came the moment when I saw it: the massive C-17 waiting for us on the runway. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. This was real. There was no turning back now.
I won’t lie—there were plenty of moments leading up to this that made me question whether I’d actually make it. There were worries about getting sick just before departure, delays due to the ice runway temperatures needing to meet strict tolerances, and that lingering fear of not being prepared for such a daunting adventure. But despite all that, the excitement was palpable. The sense of achievement was beginning to sink in.
The flight itself was surprisingly smooth—almost too smooth for such a journey. The takeoff was seamless, and as we cruised through the sky on the five-hour flight, we were treated to gourmet salad wraps of all things and a VIP tour of the cockpit by the Australian Air Force. As we flew, the changing view of the environment below us was incredible—first over Tasmania, then the vast, open Southern Ocean, followed by icebergs, and finally a thick layer of cloud. We were almost in Antarctica and began preparing for landing.
The iconic red survival bag (which contains all the PPE needed to survive in the harsh Antarctic conditions) had been a constant reminder of the adventure awaiting me. Each day in the hotel during my AAD training in Hobart, I would glance at it, eager to put it to use. And now, it was time. We donned our survival clothes, feeling a surge of anticipation as the plane began its descent. The announcement came over the intercom from the captain, the engines grew louder, and we could feel the plane decelerating. As we came in for a landing, I braced myself for the cold. The time had finally come.
The C-17’s wheels hit the icy Wilkins runway with the smoothest touchdown I’ve ever experienced. And then, the rear door opened. A rush of frigid air and bright light poured in. Stepping out of the plane was like entering another world. The runway stretched before me, an immaculate strip of ice underfoot. The first crunch of the ice beneath my boots was exhilarating. The air? Razor-sharp. My heart raced as I looked up at the endless expanse of white, the desert of flatness stretching as far as the eye could see. The sun was blinding, and the realization hit me: I was really here.
As we walked toward the communications building, I was greeted by a giant, human-sized penguin—yes, a penguin. What a welcome to the harshest, most surreal place on Earth. But what made the moment even more special was meeting the last of the summer expeditioners heading back to Australia. They were vibrant, full of life, and some of them couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Casey. It was a perfect reunion, reconnecting with friends I hadn’t seen since our time in Hobart last year.
It's hard to believe I've already spent a month in Antarctica! This experience has been truly life-changing. I'm incredibly grateful to be here, contributing to the Australian Antarctic Program's vision of environmental conservation, all while working alongside an amazing team of individuals. The natural beauty of this place? Words can’t even begin to capture it. It’s breathtaking. Being part of this program, in this remote, untouched corner of the world, is a privilege I’ll never take for granted. The flight here was just the beginning, and the adventure keeps getting better!
Thom Whyte
Electrician
Casey Station
