Operation Deep Freeze: Charting Antartica!

(Source: Navy Art Gallery-Operation Deep Freeze)

Post WW2 America has come to stand for Rock&Roll, Levittown, McDonalds and the rise of the "Man in the Grey Flannel Suit".

What is less known is the transformation and exploration of the US military during this time. While our forces were shadows of their former selves from a numerical standpoint, they were rapidly undergoing major change in technology and force projection. A component of this, and primarily driven by competition with the Soviet Union, was the continued exploration of the seas and parts unknown.

Operation Deep Freeze was part of this.

Charged with supporting the scientific goal of learning more about this frozen, uncharted part of the planet, the Navy assembled Task Force 43 to assist with the mission. Ships and forces included:

• Ice Breakers
• Attack Cargo Ships
• Tankers
• Cargo ships

This was not totally unfamiliar territory for the US, however, as there had been earlier missions in the 1920's by Byrd and the establishment of Little America.


There was quite a bit of military art for this operation. The first picture above shows an Albatross, while the picture below shows a bit more of the operational side of the mission:

(Source: Navy Art Gallery-Operation Deep Freeze)

This is a facinating part of our history and seemingly overlooked by many. For more details, hit the links and enjoy the artwork!

See you tomorrow!

Navy Historical Center: Operation Deep Freeze

Wikipedia entry for Operation Deep Freeze

USS Frederick: Picture of the Month Detail

It's cold in Ohio tonight! However, it doesn't really compare to our picture of the month you see on the right. The ice on the Frederick really is massive. For a little bit more about this photo, check the link at the end of the post. I did some digging on the Frederick and came across some interesting details:

Originally named the Maryland and built just over the turn of the century as a Pennsylvania class armored cruiser, she ended up spending most of her service life with the Pacific and Asiatic fleets. Weighing in at a little over 13 tons, she saw both extensive combat and training missions. One notable dispatch in 1912 was to carry the then Secretary of State Frank Knox to Japan for the funeral of the emperor of Japan. For more details, check the history links below.

History:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Maryland_%28ACR-8%29
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-m/acr8.htm

Frederick Picture Link
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h50000/h50357c.htm)