10/30/2009 - An LC-130 Hercules sits on the flightline Oct. 28, 2009, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, during a stop on its way to Antarctica. The aircraft and its crew, from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base, N.Y., are travelling to Antarctica to support Operation Deep Freeze, the Department of Defense's logistical support to U.S. research activities at the southernmost continent. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson)

10/30/2009 - Master Sgt. Joseph Sinatra checks the air spring pressure on an LC-130 Hercules during a stop at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, on Oct. 28, 2009. The springs are used to absorb the shock of landing the ski-equipped aircraft on the Antarctic ice. Sergeant Sinatra and the rest of his LC-130 aircrew stopped at Hickam while en route to Antarctica to support Operation Deep Freeze, the Department of Defense's logistical support to U.S. research activities at the southernmost continent. Sergeant Sinatra is an LC-130 crew chief assigned to the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base, N.Y. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson)

10/30/2009 - Tech. Sgt. David Aymat refuels an LC-130 Hercules at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, on Oct. 28, 2009, in preparation for a flight to Antarctica. Sergeant Aymat and the rest of his LC-130 aircrew stopped at Hickam while en route to Antarctica to support Operation Deep Freeze, the Department of Defense's logistical support to U.S. research activities at the southernmost continent. Sergeant Aymat is an LC-130 crew chief assigned to the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing at Stratton Air National Guard Base, N.Y. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson)