This is something I would like to check out later on (more focused on getting through boot at the moment). Is there some kind of list you are put on if/when you request it? If so what's the wait look like? What's the criteria, if any? How often do Seabees visit down there? Is it worth it?
as far as i know, after they turned over deepfreeze to civilians, Seabees stopped going there. Only if a battalion was tasked with a job there could you voulunteer, if you were in that battalion. If you aren't assigned to them, fat chance.
It would be the same anywhere else. ACB 1 is going to Guatemala. If I was in NMCB 40 and wanted to go, it wouldnt matter cause i am not in the phib.
Originally posted by hkfan: as far as i know, after they turned over deepfreeze to civilians, Seabees stopped going there. Only if a battalion was tasked with a job there could you voulunteer, if you were in that battalion. If you aren't assigned to them, fat chance. It would be the same anywhere else. ACB 1 is going to Guatemala. If I was in NMCB 40 and wanted to go, it wouldnt matter cause i am not in the phib.
This was not true in the 70's or 80's. Seabee duty in Antartica was not a Battalion related duty, not even a detachment. The unit is out of Port Hueneme and had its own compound area. The duty was to support the civilian operations. Greg Luckett
my bad.It was my understanding that Seabees were there for 6 months at a time to support ops. When they turned ops over to civies, no more Seabees or Navy at all for that matter.
When i said Only if a battalion was tasked with a job there could you voulunteer, I meant now, not back then. But I could be wrong about that too.
He's Going With A Cargo Handling Battalion . It's Not A Regular Seabee Battalion, No. I Think It's Somebody Elses Job But The Seabees Always Have To Do The Dirty Work For Everybody At This Command. ((as it is probably at every other command Seabees Can Do.)) Beats Me....
When I was with MCB 40 homeported in Davisville, way back in the dark ages (67-69) CBU201 was also homeported there and was the Antartic support unit. I always wanted to go there and "winter over", but it was decided (by higher powers) that I was more suited to a tropical climate!
I was Winter-Over 1979. The command I was attached to was Naval Support Force, Antarctia homeported from CBC Port Hueneme.When I was there, we were told that the U.S. Navy involvement would only last for a few more years, and that's exactly what happened. Seabees were attached to Public Works which was under NSFA. VXE-6 and the U.S. Air Force provided air logistics -- parts/mail and so on. Their duties were handed over to the New York Air National Guard. They fly the old Navy ski-equiped C-130s, and their stepping stone is at Christchurch, NZ during the summer months. There are no flights during the winter except for dire emergencies. (A few years ago, the Air Force Med-Evaced a female physician who had cancer) during the winter. That is very rare and dangerous. All they have for situations like that (during winter ops) are smudge pots for landing lights, and weather is extremly unpredictable when it comes to hell-raising storms.(Herbies) We did have the first "Air-Drop" from a C-141. USAF was leary of doing so because they didn't know for sure if they could re-close the rear ramp door due the severe cold weather. The parachute drop we got were parts, tins of fresh milk, veggies and mail. It was a real moral builder. After 22-years in the Seabees, I can look back and say it was the most rewarding tour of my career. It was absolutely the most beautiful place I have ever been to. The Commanding OfficrSUPFORANTARCTICA was a Line Officer, and we were there to support the National Science Foundation. NMCB-71 used to be the "Ice Battalion" back in the '60s & '70s, but NAFA took over summer support, and NMCB-71 was soon decommisioned When spring came a USAF C-141 flew in to get us. The ground person who guided the plane during taxi was naked wearing nothing but Bunny Boots. When the plane was shut down, the ALL FEMALE crew got out and went over to shake his hand. He had no idea that it was supposed to be an all female crew!! Talk about red-faced!
I was with CBU201 when it was commissioned in June 1966.Myself and 19 other men were transferred from MCB6. We went to the Ice in Oct66 and started building what is now the dorms.We also got the de-saltation unit in operation so we had running water at McMurdo.
F/F 1205 I went to the Ice the same time you did. I was in VXE-6. I worked in the A/F shop at Willy Field. Made 2 trips to the Ice spent last season in Chi/Chi. Do you remember Moose Marino. Best duty in 20 years. TAK AMCS
I was assigned to NSFA in 1993, We went down to the Ice for the last time as a full crew that season. I was there back in 1981-85. We show those civies how it was done, they had a hell of a time figuring it out. EO1
Seabees Can Do.)) Beats Me.... 
