Helmuth von Moltke the Elder was a Field Marshal and the Chief of Staff for the Prussian army in the mid-19th century. He once said something to the effect of (his original words has been paraphrased repeatedly since it’s now standard military doctrine), “No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy” [You can tell I read too much military history!]. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being here in Antarctica is that that phrase is completely apt for polar operations. The enemy for us is usually the random and extreme weather that prevent air movement. Sometimes, the enemy though is self-imposed rules and regulations. The first DC-3T Basler with Cindy and Ellen has landed and they are already enjoying their hot showers and frosty boys (they have amazing self-control if they aren’t!). Soon after I write this, and long before you read this, the same Basler will also pull Nina and Morgan out of field on a double-shuttle flight. This is the 19th day of January. The original plan was for the main group to remain in the Miller Range until the end of the week (23nd).

For Johnny and I, the last 48 hrs have also be “Stand to. Stand down. Stand to again”. We were supposed to get out yesterday, but we’re still here, good fortune I suppose as we got to help the main team re-settle on base. Without a weather report at the Allan Hills area, we had strong suspicions that the recent snow fall had covered up the blue ice fields, making searching impossible. Even if clearing winds were to occur, and they’d have to be strong to move snow, the snow would pile up, and you would still loose large areas of the ice. The last thing we wanted was to get there and have to sit on our hands for a week only to search a few days. So we had resigned ourselves this morning that our chances of getting out to Elephant Moraine were slim. This afternoon however, we got a sit. rep. from a Twin Otter pilot that the blue ice fields are indeed visible. With us also on the flight queue tomorrow, we’re back on track! Fingers crossed! “No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy”

Finally, Cindy, Ellen and myself got to go out to the USCGC Polar Star. This US Coast Guard Cutter icebreaker is currently docked after breaking through the ice, and we had an opportunity to board her for a tour. The halls are tight for the 125+ sailors who volunteer to support the National Science Foundation program. The Polar Star has a HH-65 Dolphin helicopter hanger and landing pad on its stern, although they didn’t bring the two helos with them on this trip. The icebreaker is designed to go some 5 knots into pack ice, strand its bow on top of the ice, putting its heavy weight on the ice, and breaking it. Her sister ship, the USCGC Polar Sea, also supports US polar operations. I’m not sure if I could spend the many months on board, in such tight quarters to come down here, and then again on its return. Although a two-man tent on the Antarctic continent isn’t too roomy either, at least we could get out and go walkabout.

Alright, off to bed. Let’s see if our plan survives contact with the enemy another night!PS: Talking about battles and the such, did you know we all get a medal at the end of this?! The Antarctica Service Medal. Wiki it. Not even lying. We so deserve that medal, what with all the battle plans, and enemies…. and … more enemies… 🙂

PPS: As I finished writing this blog entry, Johnny just said “It’s snowing again.”. My response: “Nuts.” (the only response given by US General Anthony McAullife when asked to surrender during the Battle of the Bulge, 1944. Alright, I’ll stop rambling now)

– from Con, at the CON, with a tall ship, and stars to steer her by. Reporting from the weatherdeck of the USCGC Polar Star, McMurdo Station. (minor editing by rph)