This is the story of IAF mission to establish an airbase in Dakshin Gantori, probably resulted in the IAF pilots becoming the first Indians to set foot at the Geographic South Pole on 9 Dec 1983. (1/8)
In 1981 and 1982, India carried out the first scientific research expedition in Antarctica. These missions were carried out in summer, but third expedition in 1983 was planned for the winter. To survive, it was felt there was a need to establish a permanent station.. 2/
Rewinding a bit, in 1956, US Navy landed in the south in an R4D-5L Skytrain (C-47). The US Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station was established by air. In preparation for the first permanent station in Antarctica (Dakshin Gangotri), the Govt of India planned for an airbase too! 3/
In prep, an IAF team was sent to Argentina in Jan 1983 to train on the C-130 aircraft. The team was headed by then Air Cmde HK Oberoi. The crew incl – Wg Cdr PNS Jayarao (44 Sqn), Wg Cdr IM Dhammi (25 Sqn), Wg Cdr SS Sobti (25 Sqn, Nav) & F/L Satish Kumar (AEB, Flt Eng). 4/
The crew trained for 3 months. In Mid-April 1983, two sets of crews – from IAF & Argentina AF flew for 17 hours. They overflew the new Indian station (Dakshin Gangotri). It was not fit for landing and they only did supply drops. Post the mission, they returned to India. 5/
In Dec 1983, the two pilots – Jayarao & Dhammi were asked to head to McMurdo in Antantartica to study the feasibility of an airbase in the region – Ops, navigation, Maintenance etc. They flew via Christchurch & stayed at McMurdo for a week, interacting with the US C-130 dett. 6/
On 9 Dec 1983, they flew and landed at the South Pole (Amundsen Scott base), possibly becoming the First Indians to set foot on the South Pole. 7/
The Indian Station was completed in Feb 1984 but was abandoned in 1989 after it was submerged in ice. While it seems transport ops by IAF did not happen, the Mi-8 fleet of IAF supported multiple Antarctica expeditions during the 80s. The Mi-8 saga is a story in itself. 8/8
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