With more than fifty scientific projects done, with the lowering flag’s ceremony the activities of the XXXIII Summer 2017-2018 Campaign of the Italian National Program of Research in Antarctica (PNRA) at Mario Zucchelli Station (WAP ITA-Ø1) of Terra Nova Bay, are finished.
Equally important have been the activities of a logistical nature, maintenance of the structures and preparation of the intermediate airstrip for flights to Concordia Station (WAP MNB-3) and Dumont D’Urville (WAP FRA-Ø1). In this context, the contribution of a specialized engineers team of the Italian Air Force to the realization of the Boulder Clay strip, a remote field 250 km from the base, is of particular importance.
The project, which is developing during the last expeditions, will see this infrastructure acquiring greater flexibility of access to the Mario Zucchelli Station, allowing it to become an important hub for the movement of international scientific personnel operating in the northern part of the Ross Sea.
Italian Army, Navy and Air Force have guaranteed as every year, full support to the
research and logistics activities within the Antarctic Continent; 25 specialists of the 3 Armed Forces have been involved: mountain scouts, pilots, weather forecasters, mechanics, riders and divers gave a great contribution to the success of the Summer campaign.
Read more at: http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/comunicazione/notizie/Pagine/20180219_Antartide-conclusa-la-XXXIII-spedizione.aspx
Thanks and credit: Defence Ministry-Italian Air Force