Title  : Follow-up to Airdrop of Fuel
Type   : Antarctic EAM
NSF Org: OD / OPP
Date   : April 06, 1992
File   : opp93062


                                       DIVISION OF POLAR PROGRAMS
                                        OFFICE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
                                                     202/357-7766
MEMORANDUM

   Date:  April 6, 1992

   From:  Environmental Officer, DPP

Subject:  Environmental Action Memorandum (Follow Up on Emergency
            Airdrop of Fuel to Weddell Sea Ice Camp)

     To:  Files (S.7 - Environment)
          Ocean Projects Manager, DPP
          Field Projects Manager, DPP

            REFS: Environmental Action Memorandum (Assessment of
                  Soviet Proposals for Systems for Management of
                  Liquid and Gaseous Wastes from the Drifting
                  Station in the Weddell Sea).  Dated January 11,
                  1991.

                  Environmental Action Memorandum (Weddell Sea
                  Ice Camp).  Dated October 10, 1991.

                  Environmental Action Memorandum (Emergency
                  Airdrop of Fuel at Weddell Sea Ice Camp).
                  Dated March 31, 1992







This Environmental Action Memorandum describes the outcome of an
emergency airdrop of fuel to the Drifting Weddell Sea Ice Camp
that took place on April 1, 1992.  The airdrop was conducted by
the 20th Military Airlift Squadron at Charleston AFB, SC.  On the
evening of March 31, 1992, a final airdrop planning meeting was
held to develop contingency for fuel spills as well as recovery
of airdrop parachutes.

The April 1, 1991, airdrop of fuel-filled barrels was on target
and all 115 barrels of fuel were recovered intact (as well as the
parachutes).  The C-141 aircraft making the airdrop did three
low-level passes (~500 feet) over the camp.  The first was to
orient to the drop zone; at the second pass ten bundles (each
holding 4 barrels of fuel) were dropped; at the third pass the
remaining 19 bundles were dropped.  The bundles hit the ground
with considerable impact; but, they were cushioned in a manner
such that every bundle of fuel barrels survived with no leakage
of fuel or barrel damage.


The U.S. Chief Scientist and the U.S. Technical Coordinator of
the ice camp noted numerous cracks in the ice around the camp
that could develop into rifts through the camp itself.  If such a
situation were to develop, use of the camp's helicopters would be
invaluable in relocating the camp to a safe region.  Without the
fuel provided by the airdrop that emergency evacuation option
could not be exercised.



                                Sidney Draggan


cc:  Environmental Engineer, DPP
     John Evans, ASA