I spent 7 months in Antarctica. Home based at McMurdo, but my job took me all over the continent. The food at the mess hall at McMurdo was some of the best in the world. We ate like Kings everyday, 3 times a day. If you didn't see what you wanted, you asked and t hey would make it. Prime Rib, Lobster, shrimp, burgers, etc. it was all there. AAA+++
Thank you for your service~~I served 30yrs, loved every minute/hour/day/month/years....I joined the AF and saw the whole world, for free~The best part was the people, we had some fun~~
Back in the 80s, there was a need for an ET to TDY on a USCG Polar Class icebreaker. So, of course, I “volunteer” 😂. We went down to Antarctica-the best tour of duty in my eight years in the USCG. Sir, much respect to you and your mates, thank you for your service, and stay safe 🙏
Love this, applied to be a pilot with the 109th, I live right down the road and my friend used to be sqdrn cmdr. Thanks for serving and sharing! Very informative. Looks fun.
Good work. Fun fact: The U.S.A.F. maintains the Operation Deep programme out of Christchurch, New Zealand. There is a section of tarmac next to the international terminal where the R.N.Z.A.F. and U.S.A.F. have operations side by side. The International Antarctic Centre is just across Orchard Road. I work across the road at one of the rental car yards, so I see U.S.A.F. planes coming and going on a regular basis. We see your C-130's and C-17's a lot - I think I saw 3 C-130's on the tarmac when I was working on Thursday.
My daughter is there right now. She is in the Coast Guard on the Polar Star. This is her second tour there. Last year she ran a 5 k run at McMurdo. Thank you for the video and for your service to our country.
Thats awesome, i met alot of great people that was on the polar star. I may have crossed paths or even sparked a conversation. She's awesome for participating in the 5K. Thank you.
Nice! So she would have flown out through my hometown Christchurch in New Zealand, where the U.S. maintains its Operation Deep Freeze. It's literally across the road from where I work.
@@robertglennienz She didn't fly out. Her ship left the western US Pacific coast and she sailed to Antarctica. I think they did stop in New Zealand though on the way.
@@claybowser698 So how did she come ashore then at McMurdo? I am asking because the Ross Ice Shelf, which covers about 200,000 square miles including much of the maritime approach to McMurdo and the New Zealand Scott Base.
about 15 years ago I knew a woman who wintered over 2 years in a row, she was in logistics. Met her in Colorado when she was back stateside. She told stories of fun and cold
I'm a graphic designer that works from home and gets easily stressed out. Crazy to see videos like this where the stress is about 10 times as high and you act like it's no big deal. Keep on keeping on!
This is so awesome! I was in the army and now looking back it would have been awesome to be in the air force and flying in planes going to cool places.
@@ZayPolanco kenn Borek is out of Calgary, it was just such a small aircraft in the background hence my query on if it was Kenn Borek. Be safe Brother 💂♂️🪖⛑️🏴🇨🇦
Great video brother. Probably a dumb question but how did you pay your home bills from there with bad internet and do things like renew car insurance. All autopay or just waited until you got back?
And this cold wasteland was once roamed by life, and had all kinds of flora, its crazy if you think about it. I mean, who knows what is beneath all this ice...
I'll freely admit I'm an idiot when it comes to this stuff, so here's my idiot question: If it takes of with skis attached to the wheels, I assume that means it has to land someplace with a snow or ice runway, how does it then transition from ski's to just wheels at some point since I assume eventually it's landing in a non-snow or ice covered runway?
The skis are retractable, so if you land on a regular runway you just don't bring them down. So the pilot can toggle between wheels or skis 😅 The skis are attached permanently, if you want to land on wheels they will just go lower then where the skis are.
Took two trips down to "Mactown" while on the Star and had a blast. Weirdest thing was closing the EM Club at 11:00pm (This was when the navy was still down there) and seeing the sun still out like it was 2 in the afternoon.
How do you perceive the existence of outer lands beyond the ice, and how might exploring them contribute to our understanding of Earth's geography, its place in the universe, and the potential presence of other suns or celestial phenomena beyond these distant boundaries?
Fun Fact- the word Arctic refers to bears and Antarctic the lack of bears. But they aren’t referring to polar bears that’s is just a happy coincidence.
Totally good ones brotherman…im a paramedic and we’d use those back when i first started on the job lol… thank you for your service my bro! I enjoyed that video. Be safe and stay blessed @@ZayPolanco
Same with the Navy. Try being ships company on a small ship in the middle of nowhere. Better yet, try being forward deployed in a small ship in the middle of winter in Tokyo Bay. It's your dysfunctional home away from home!:)-John in Texas
Great video. Simple editing, direct, but very much paints a superb picture of daily life. I like how fresh fruits and vegetables are rare/luxury, but long shelf-life items like savory meat and starches/potatoes are plentiful.
Seems to he a good tour station but for the isolation and horrendous storms when everything is frozen and you can't even see where you are from the white outs.
Interesting. I looked at taking a civilian contractor job there. But my wife was medically disqualified to take a job there so we passed. Being a Veteran we had enough time separated.
I know it's cold there, but for some reason whenever I watch videos of Antarctica I feel like saying "it doesn't seem that cold" especially when the sun is so bright like that. Also, I thought yall would wear more cold weather clothing, but you're in just a beanie, thermals, gloves and a coat.
I'm the guy in the forklift. Thanks for sharing the clips with me! It's awesome to see it from your perspective
Are the operators out there part of the International Union of Operating Engineers?
Are you a 2t2?
Liar
Have you seen the icewall yet?
Its there. Some people call it the antarctic shelf
I spent 7 months in Antarctica. Home based at McMurdo, but my job took me all over the continent. The food at the mess hall at McMurdo was some of the best in the world. We ate like Kings everyday, 3 times a day. If you didn't see what you wanted, you asked and t hey would make it. Prime Rib, Lobster, shrimp, burgers, etc. it was all there. AAA+++
Spoken like a true Airman. Lol
apparently not anymore...
Afghanistan or Antarctica DFAC. Which was better
They good food is an incentive to keep your there. 😂
You ate lobster and had a good time, that’s great. Now what kind of important scientific discoveries has the people your working for found?
Thank you for your service~~I served 30yrs, loved every minute/hour/day/month/years....I joined the AF and saw the whole world, for free~The best part was the people, we had some fun~~
That is awesome! Thank you for your service. The traveling and meeting some of the best people is def some of the best part about the AF
Back in the 80s, there was a need for an ET to TDY on a USCG Polar Class icebreaker. So, of course, I “volunteer” 😂. We went down to Antarctica-the best tour of duty in my eight years in the USCG. Sir, much respect to you and your mates, thank you for your service, and stay safe 🙏
I was there for Operation Deep Freeze 68-67 on the USCGC Glacier.
Operation Deep Freeze 87-88 U.S. Army. Isolated Duty Nome, Alaska 00-01 USCG
Retired from the USAF 23 years ago. One thing's for certain. No one goes AWOL. God Bless You my friend.
Absolutely! Thank you sir. God bless you as well
So awesome to see what you guys do. Thank you for your service
Lol what service? Seems like most of them just move pallets around, eat food and support scientists who discover nothing of importance.
Love this, applied to be a pilot with the 109th, I live right down the road and my friend used to be sqdrn cmdr. Thanks for serving and sharing! Very informative. Looks fun.
Good work. Fun fact: The U.S.A.F. maintains the Operation Deep programme out of Christchurch, New Zealand. There is a section of tarmac next to the international terminal where the R.N.Z.A.F. and U.S.A.F. have operations side by side. The International Antarctic Centre is just across Orchard Road.
I work across the road at one of the rental car yards, so I see U.S.A.F. planes coming and going on a regular basis.
We see your C-130's and C-17's a lot - I think I saw 3 C-130's on the tarmac when I was working on Thursday.
Amazing story!! Thank you for sharing and serving!! God Bless you and the others that are stationed with you...
Gotta say Mr. Polanco, that was a really nice video. You take care.
Thank you Юьщр for sharing moments from your everyday life that most of us don't get to experience in our lifetime. Be healthy and good luck!
My daughter is there right now. She is in the Coast Guard on the Polar Star. This is her second tour there. Last year she ran a 5 k run at McMurdo. Thank you for the video and for your service to our country.
Thats awesome, i met alot of great people that was on the polar star. I may have crossed paths or even sparked a conversation. She's awesome for participating in the 5K. Thank you.
Nice! So she would have flown out through my hometown Christchurch in New Zealand, where the U.S. maintains its Operation Deep Freeze. It's literally across the road from where I work.
@@robertglennienz She didn't fly out. Her ship left the western US Pacific coast and she sailed to Antarctica. I think they did stop in New Zealand though on the way.
@@claybowser698 So how did she come ashore then at McMurdo? I am asking because the Ross Ice Shelf, which covers about 200,000 square miles including much of the maritime approach to McMurdo and the New Zealand Scott Base.
@@robertglennienz She is on an ice breaker ship that breaks all the ice for the supply ships to come into McMurdo.
Love the guys who don’t let weather bother them. Good job people good job. Way to lead. what great examples.
Thank you! Its actually nice to be outside and work through all the elements
Great experience your having. Very few people ever get to set foot down in the Antarctic. Thanks for your service.
I am guessing the most popular movie down there is The Thing! Lol
hahaha you would think right but we watched it once down here
It’s one of my all time favorite movies ever.
about 15 years ago I knew a woman who wintered over 2 years in a row, she was in logistics. Met her in Colorado when she was back stateside. She told stories of fun and cold
Really great video, thank you.
Informative, educational, and your sound track is pretty good too.
Thank you!! I really appreciate the kind words.
A true professional who knows how to get stuff done right.
Great video, super interesting. 🙏for your service to the country!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you
So awesome. This is the recruiting content the armed forces needs. Hard work, good life.
Though…the food! Sir where are the greens!?
I was thinking the same thing! I did see a few sad string beans hiding in fear near the fried chicken :)
It's hard to get vegetables there. My guess is that the crew takes vitamins and fiber to make up for the lack of greens.
Honestly, some of the best assignments are remote assignments. 7502nd MUNSS Noervenich AB Germany 91-93. Loved it
I'm a graphic designer that works from home and gets easily stressed out. Crazy to see videos like this where the stress is about 10 times as high and you act like it's no big deal. Keep on keeping on!
Haha it's all in a day's work here
This is so awesome! I was in the army and now looking back it would have been awesome to be in the air force and flying in planes going to cool places.
Absolutely! This is def a very unique opportunity to fly out here
I lived at Willy in the early 90s. Back and forth from Willy to the Ice runway. VXE-6 Engine shop. Great times.
Thats awesome. I wonder how much its change from then and now
I was there in 2000. I flew down on C-131 number 0492, flew back on a C-141 (number unknown). Fab experience, would love to go back.
92 is still going back there till to this day haha hopefully youd get to go back soon
Got bored and googled 'life in antarctica' for funsies. Pleasant surprise to see the 109th. Scotia born and raised!
Looks like a great assignment. USAF vet here. I would volunteer for that assignment. Stay safe and warm!
It was def a great experience and to be able to say you went to Antarctica. Thank you!
Awesome stuff! Well done boys.
Love this Content Zee.
Thanks Nic! I appreciate it
Hey, Thanks for your service to our country. God bless America. Great Video!
Thank you kindly! I really appreciate the kind words
you have a great job, and thank you for serving our country!
Thank you! I def do love my job as a crew chief
5:54 red aircraft in the back ground is that a Canadian Kenn Borek Air Ltd Aircraft? Out of Calgary Alberta? 💂♂️🪖⛑️🏴🇨🇦
Yes its a Kenn Borek Twin Otter. Im not sure if its calgary but def canada
@@ZayPolanco kenn Borek is out of Calgary, it was just such a small aircraft in the background hence my query on if it was Kenn Borek. Be safe Brother 💂♂️🪖⛑️🏴🇨🇦
loving the content bro, just subscribed!
Great video! What is the population in Antarctica?
About 1,000 people in McMurdo Station
@ZayPolanco How is the cost of living there. I would imagine it would be peaceful there.
Great video brother.
Probably a dumb question but how did you pay your home bills from there with bad internet and do things like renew car insurance. All autopay or just waited until you got back?
And this cold wasteland was once roamed by life, and had all kinds of flora, its crazy if you think about it. I mean, who knows what is beneath all this ice...
Im sure theyre doing all the studies beneath the ice
I know it may sound cliche, but thank you for what you do for USA.
Us armed forces- the yank deity followed closely by the dollar.
Thank you, its really appreciated
Very cool (pun intended). Looks like a good life
So Cool.... This is so cool!!!🤩🤩🤩
Home sweet home. Good to see it again.
Thank you, you dont plan on going back?
Don't know. I'd like to, we'll see what's in the cards. @@ZayPolanco
Thanks for the video. I'm going down there soon and was wondering what type of goggles and sunglasses you'd recommend while there?
I'll freely admit I'm an idiot when it comes to this stuff, so here's my idiot question: If it takes of with skis attached to the wheels, I assume that means it has to land someplace with a snow or ice runway, how does it then transition from ski's to just wheels at some point since I assume eventually it's landing in a non-snow or ice covered runway?
The skis are retractable, so if you land on a regular runway you just don't bring them down. So the pilot can toggle between wheels or skis 😅
The skis are attached permanently, if you want to land on wheels they will just go lower then where the skis are.
Yup, thats exactly it
Awesome video man! Love it
Thank you! We get out of there before winter hits
@@ZayPolanco must be so amazingly cool in the winter too! Id love to be able to experience it for a year
Took two trips down to "Mactown" while on the Star and had a blast. Weirdest thing was closing the EM Club at 11:00pm (This was when the navy was still down there) and seeing the sun still out like it was 2 in the afternoon.
You can keep your airport job while joining the guard. You just gotta look for a guard base closes to you
10/10 content 🔥
thank you! I really appreciate that
Does everyone work together to make sure systems r working like power and phone lines
yes you know what kind of video I want ;)
I appreciate it man!
Thank you, this was interesting :D
How do you perceive the existence of outer lands beyond the ice, and how might exploring them contribute to our understanding of Earth's geography, its place in the universe, and the potential presence of other suns or celestial phenomena beyond these distant boundaries?
Very different than when I was there 30 years ago flying on the Herc’s in VXE-6
Haha yes, things have changed
Fun Fact- the word Arctic refers to bears and Antarctic the lack of bears. But they aren’t referring to polar bears that’s is just a happy coincidence.
hahaha i thought they coined that on purpose lol
@@ZayPolanco me too, turned out that the bear in question was a star constellation
Man ty so much for this im so fascinated by life on Antarctica its just so hard finding vlogs on it and ty for ya service brodie 🇺🇸
How did you get stationed there
Sun at 3 am and c130s with skiis relplacing landing gears. Must feel like being on another planet
That's some rough duty for the Air Force!-John in Texas (USN Desert Storm/Shield)
The blue sky is amazing. Thanks for sharing this.
Yes, its really magnificent! Thank you
Which officer did you piss off to make you go there?
Lol none of that, i wanted to be there
Are you what we in the Navy were called a "Line Dawg" or a Plane Captain?
Yes i heard of that term before
The Air National Guard is only there in the summer time, its hard to hard for them to be there in the winter.
Great Video. Thanks for sharing. You are blessed to work/stay there
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I really do feel blessed to have the opportunity to do so
My son's down there now... 2nd go round. He builds and maintains the runways...
Thats amazing, i mightve run into him then haha
What is the warmest day you ever seen in Antarctica?
New York Air Guard in Antarctica ? And, Where do the, frly from there ? South America, or New Sealand ?
New Zealand
Wow Great :DD
Glad you like it!
Hi, great video...do you know Jordan Konkul?
Two things I noticed in this video… 1. Maglite holy shit lol 2. Combo crt tv with vcr lol… seeing both brings back memories 😂
Im glad it brought you back some memories lol hopefully good ones
Totally good ones brotherman…im a paramedic and we’d use those back when i first started on the job lol… thank you for your service my bro! I enjoyed that video. Be safe and stay blessed @@ZayPolanco
I was just amazed he got socked feet in his flip flops!!
At least you have internet access. We didn't have it in '92!
Out of curiosity, what was your job when working in Antarctica?
No one had internet in 1992
@@twinsonic coincidentally, i got my first email account in 1992...
@@whiskeysk yeah, you worked for the government or some research facility. For the regular dude there was nothing
What is being hooked to the center of the propeller?
Its a heater to warm up the engines
Hey Zay, was there a 24 hr Sun in sky
Awesome
Thank you!
Looks great!! I think the only negative is that you are far from your family and the main cities. Nice editing btw
Yes, youre def away from family and thats tough. Thank you
Same with the Navy. Try being ships company on a small ship in the middle of nowhere. Better yet, try being forward deployed in a small ship in the middle of winter in Tokyo Bay. It's your dysfunctional home away from home!:)-John in Texas
Is the WiFi free now for everyone? If so, is there a limit to how much Data you can use in a month ??
why did you cut the cold start :(
its like, the men of the nights watch? LOL man the wall! LMAO JK JK! im not one of those morons! awesome video.
I need to go; it looks like fun.
Well made bro!
Thank you! Its really appreciated
4:00 you guys get ćevapi for breakfast? How can I join?!
Im not sure but its some kind of sausage lol you can def reach out to a recruiter in my base
Wonderful. Even a video on daily life at McMurdo Station has that pounding noise and finger snapping sound.
Can civilians that work there use that gym??? Like if you’re a production cook can you use it
Yeah, anyone who is on station is free to use the gym
great camera work
Keep it up man, just wondering do you have any night time flights in the middle of winter?
Also thank you for your service champ. 🦘🦘👍👍👌👌✌✌
Great video. Simple editing, direct, but very much paints a superb picture of daily life. I like how fresh fruits and vegetables are rare/luxury, but long shelf-life items like savory meat and starches/potatoes are plentiful.
What is the least favorite thing about the pole
There isnt much but if i had to pick it would be working outside with high winds
The ski’s on the plane 😊
Great video
Seems to he a good tour station but for the isolation and horrendous storms when everything is frozen and you can't even see where you are from the white outs.
Was that 106 air guard from gabreski?
This is the life man. Away from everyone and everything. God damn I wish I can spend some time here.
Do they have a library?
Yes they do
The mom in me wants to fix the collars on your jacket and get you zipped up and cozy. 😊
hahah yeah i just noticed that lol it wouldve been nice if i had fixed it
broo your food looks really good
Dang what did you do wrong to be sent to Antarctica!
Lol nothing, i wanted to be in Antarctica
What is your rotation up there?
12 hours on 12 hours off
Interesting. I looked at taking a civilian contractor job there. But my wife was medically disqualified to take a job there so we passed. Being a Veteran we had enough time separated.
Thats so unfortunate, you guys would love it here
Haha cool video but yall got it made now. I am a OAE 1980 -1984 VXE 6
I know it's cold there, but for some reason whenever I watch videos of Antarctica I feel like saying "it doesn't seem that cold" especially when the sun is so bright like that. Also, I thought yall would wear more cold weather clothing, but you're in just a beanie, thermals, gloves and a coat.
Good point! When there is no wind chill and just sun beaming, it can be very warm.
@@ZayPolanco super cool!:)
You guys need to speak up about all that fried food! 😂😂
It all depends on the chef but i really didnt have an issue with it
Sir, pure where you come from sir?
I don't know how y'all manage life up there!😮