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Phoenix Airfield

Phoenix Airfield (ICAO: NZFX) is a compacted located on the McMurdo Ice Shelf in , approximately 18 km (11 mi) from and 5 km (3 mi) east of the former Airfield, designed to support wheeled aircraft operations for the U.S. Program (USAP). Opened in early 2017, it replaced the aging , which had served since 1990 but faced increasing maintenance issues due to environmental changes, providing a reliable facility for transporting cargo and personnel between and , , via heavy aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster III. Phoenix Airfield remains the primary wheeled for USAP operations as of 2025. The airfield's construction, initiated in October 2015 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in collaboration with the (NSF), employed a novel compaction technique to transform deep snow into a durable surface, marking the first such facility in for large wheeled . Spanning 3,050 m (10,000 ft) in length and 46 m (150 ft) in width, with shoulders extending 8 m (25 ft) on each side, the achieves densities up to 750 kg/m³ through layered lifts compacted by heavy rollers weighing up to 73,000 kg (160,000 lb), enabling it to bear with gross weights of 227,000 kg (500,000 lb) and tire pressures of 1 MPa (144 psi). Certified annually by the (FAA) from late August to late February, Phoenix is rebuilt each year to counteract winter snow accumulation, requiring about 17,000 labor hours for maintenance. The first operational landing occurred on January 27, 2017, by a C-17 from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, following validation flights in November 2016, validating its role in sustaining USAP's research logistics amid 's harsh conditions.

History

Development and Naming

The planning for Phoenix Airfield was initiated in 2015 by the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), managed by the (NSF), to address the increasing vulnerability of the existing to on the McMurdo Ice Shelf. , operational since the 1990s, had become unreliable due to accelerated ice shelf melting, contamination from dust carried by winds from Black Island, and progressive movement of the shelf into an ablation zone, which reduced snow accumulation and led to frequent closures, such as in the latter part of the 2012-13 season. These issues, compounded by the shelf's annual movement of approximately 140 feet (43 meters), threatened the sustainability of wheeled aircraft operations critical for supplying , prompting the NSF to seek a more stable alternative site to ensure year-round access while minimizing operational disruptions. Site selection for the new airfield focused on an area approximately 5 km (3 miles) east and up-shelf from , near Mile Post 11 along the existing access road on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, to capitalize on 9-12 inches (23-30 cm) more snow accumulation annually than at Pegasus. This location, identified through surveys beginning in 2014, offered improved stability against the ice shelf's dynamic changes, including reduced exposure to dust and effects, while maintaining proximity to for logistical efficiency. The choice was informed by glaciological evaluations conducted by the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in January 2015, which analyzed 46 snow cores revealing average densities of 0.4 g/cm³ near the surface and 0.5 g/cm³ at 1 meter depth, confirming the site's suitability for compacted snow runway construction. Initial environmental impact assessments were conducted as part of the NSF's Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) process under the , ensuring compliance with the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (). The 2016 IEE specifically evaluated the establishment of the Phoenix Airfield town site and the closure of , assessing potential impacts on local ice, snow, and wildlife while confirming negligible long-term effects through mitigation measures like controlled waste management and habitat monitoring. Approvals were granted following these reviews, allowing construction to proceed in the 2015-16 austral summer without requiring a full Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation. The airfield's naming ceremony occurred on April 7, 2016, when the NSF officially designated the site as , honoring the historical C-121J Constellation aircraft named "" operated by U.S. squadron during early missions from 1958 to 1971. This propeller-driven aircraft played a key role in , supporting scientific and logistical efforts in extreme conditions, and the name evoked themes of resilience and rebirth, aligning with the airfield's purpose as a "rising" from the challenges facing . The ceremony continued the tradition of naming McMurdo-area airfields after mythical or historical aviation elements, such as itself.

Construction Process

Construction of Phoenix Airfield commenced during the 2015-16 austral summer, specifically in October 2015, under the leadership of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (ERDC/CRREL), a component of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The field construction team was headed by personnel from the Antarctic Support Contract, managed by , which provided logistical and operational support for the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). The project was sponsored and funded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Office of Polar Programs, aiming to create a compacted runway capable of supporting heavy wheeled like the C-17 Globemaster III. The primary engineering method involved compacting deep snow into a dense, load-bearing surface through iterative layering and grooming techniques, designed to achieve strength comparable to . Construction proceeded in lifts approximately 75 mm thick, building up to a total depth of about 1 meter, using sheepsfoot rollers for initial compaction followed by heavy pneumatic-tire weight carts loaded up to 74,000 (approximately 163,000 pounds) to densify the . Bulldozers facilitated layering, with target densities increasing progressively across lifts (e.g., 675 /m³ for the fourth lift) to ensure structural integrity. New snowfall was immediately incorporated and compacted to avoid weak layers, resulting in a length of 10,000 feet (3,050 m). Due to annual snow accumulation and seasonal melt cycles, the airfield requires reconstruction and maintenance each austral summer, including twice-weekly compaction and pre-flight strength verifications. The initial build culminated in validation testing with the first landing of a fully loaded on November 15, 2016, which confirmed the effectiveness of the compaction method for supporting heavy aircraft operations. This test flight, conducted by a crew from , marked the successful commissioning of the runway prior to its full operational transition.

Opening and Transition

Phoenix Airfield officially opened in early 2017, marking the transition to full operations for wheeled aircraft on the McMurdo Ice Shelf during the 2016-17 austral summer season. The first wheeled landings occurred on November 15, 2016, when a U.S. C-17 Globemaster III conducted validation tests, followed by the inaugural operational and cargo flight on January 27, 2017. These initial activities confirmed the airfield's viability for heavy airlift, leveraging compaction techniques to create a stable snow runway capable of supporting . Due to annual snow accumulation, the airfield requires rebuilding each season. The airfield's activation coincided with the permanent closure of its predecessor, , on December 8, 2016, prompted by accelerating instability exacerbated by seasonal melting and dust accumulation from nearby Black Island. This shift necessitated comprehensive transition , including the relocation of fuel depots, passenger terminals, and approximately 18 km from to the new site, which is positioned about 5 km east of the former location for improved accessibility. By the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, Phoenix Airfield achieved its initial operational capacity of approximately 60 wheeled flights per year, facilitating the seamless transfer of cargo and personnel essential to research efforts. This milestone was supported through close coordination with , the U.S. military's logistical backbone for the , ensuring validated C-17 operations and minimal disruption during the handover.

Location and Environment

Geographical Setting

Phoenix Airfield is situated on the in , . Its precise coordinates are 77°57.41′S 166°45.22′E. The airfield lies at an elevation of approximately 35 ft (11 m) above mean . The site is positioned about 18 km (11 mi) from and roughly 10 nautical miles grid north of it, facilitating overland access via existing snow roads. Its proximity to the to the north and the approximately 80 km to the west shapes regional wind patterns, including katabatic flows from the mountains and barrier winds along the coastal ice shelf, which impact aircraft accessibility and operational safety. Phoenix Airfield holds the ICAO code NZFX and is classified as a small airstrip operating under aviation protocols governed by the . It serves as the primary wheeled airfield in the U.S. sector, enabling operations for with , in contrast to ski-equipped sites such as used for ski-landing aircraft.

Ice Shelf Conditions

The McMurdo Ice Shelf, upon which Phoenix Airfield is situated, exhibits variable thickness ranging from approximately 20 to 55 meters, with the ice at the airfield site measuring about 30 meters deep. This relatively thin profile renders the shelf particularly susceptible to basal melting driven by warm Antarctic Surface Water, exacerbating its vulnerability to ongoing climate warming trends observed in the region. Annual snow accumulation on the shelf averages 0.5 to 1.5 meters, necessitating regular grooming to maintain a firm surface suitable for airfield operations. Extreme temperatures characterize the local , with winter lows reaching -50°C and summer highs occasionally surpassing -5°C, though annual means hover around -18°C. Katabatic winds, descending from the , frequently intensify these conditions, with gusts capable of exceeding 100 knots during severe events, such as the 2004 McMurdo storm that recorded peaks near 164 knots. Crevasse fields pose ongoing hazards across the ice shelf, particularly in transitional zones near Phoenix Airfield, where surface melting occurs from mid-December to January due to elevated summer solar radiation. This seasonal melt leads to ponding and softening of the runway surface, resulting in approximately seven-week closure periods for wheeled aircraft operations to ensure safety. Operations at Phoenix Airfield adhere to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the , implementing measures to minimize disturbances to transient local , including Adélie penguins that may forage in nearby coastal areas. The supports continuous monitoring of dynamics through seismic networks and geodetic GPS stations deployed on the McMurdo , which track vertical deflections, grounding line , and overall movement rates to assess stability.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Runway Specifications

Phoenix Airfield is equipped with a single designated 15/33, oriented Grid 15/33G. This spans 11,000 feet (3,353 meters) in length and 200 feet (61 meters) in width, providing sufficient space for heavy operations on the McMurdo Ice Shelf. The surface consists of compacted , achieved through layered using heavy rollers to build density profiles that support wheeled landings. It is rebuilt each austral summer to counteract and ensure safety. The design accommodates aircraft with gross weights up to 500,000 pounds (227,000 kilograms), including the C-17 Globemaster III and various C-130 Hercules variants, with compaction targeted to meet minimum safety factors for multiple passes. For operations in low-visibility conditions common to the environment, the runway incorporates edge lighting via a sequenced system, along with runway end identifier lights (REILS) and an abbreviated (APAPI) using LED and technology. Fuel infrastructure includes on-site storage for (AN-8) , equipped with spill containment measures to mitigate environmental risks in the sensitive polar setting.

Navigation Aids and Support

Phoenix Airfield employs several precision approach systems to facilitate safe aircraft landings in the challenging environment. These include the Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system, certified annually to minimums of 300 feet and 1 mile visibility, which provides bearing and distance information to pilots. The Time Reference Scanning Beam (TLS) is also operational, offering a non-precision approach certified to 200 feet and ¾ mile minimums, enhancing guidance during low-visibility conditions. Additionally, RNAV approaches based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) are available and certified annually, allowing for satellite-dependent navigation that supports efficient routing aligned with the airfield's east-west runway orientation. The (MLS), previously used for precision guidance, was decommissioned at the end of the 2021/22 due to obsolescence and high maintenance costs, with operations ceasing by March 2022. support at Phoenix Airfield is managed through relocatable buildings and facilities designed for seasonal deployment on the . These include a passenger terminal for processing arrivals and departures, cargo ramps for loading and unloading supplies, and emergency services equipped for (ARFF), all coordinated via the McMurdo control tower (Mac Center). The NSF Prime Contractor under the provides such as AN-8 delivery and (AGE), with transient aircrews requesting at least one hour in advance through Mac Center. Hazardous cargo handling occurs in designated seasonal areas to ensure safety. Weather observation relies on automated stations at the airfield, which generate routine reports issued by the McMurdo Weather Office, covering visibility, wind, temperature, and precipitation for the McMurdo area airfields including . Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) are provided by the Navy Precision Approach Radar Remote Operations Facility (NPP ROF), integrating data to support and integrated with the McMurdo control tower for real-time dissemination. Annual maintenance of navigation aids and support infrastructure occurs during the off-season, coordinated by the NSF Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) prime contractor, involving up to 17,000 labor hours to rebuild facilities, grade the runway, and certify systems for the upcoming summer operations under oversight. Daily inspections ensure surface conditions remain suitable, with loose snow limited to 1 inch.

Operations

Aircraft Operations

Phoenix Airfield primarily supports wheeled aircraft operations as part of the (USAP), accommodating approximately 60 flights annually. The main users include the for heavy cargo transport, the for medium-lift missions, and ski-wheel equipped variants of the Lockheed LC-130 Hercules, which land and taxi on wheels at the airfield. Takeoff and landing procedures at Phoenix Airfield are adapted for its 11,000-foot by 200-foot constructed from compacted on the , with preferred arrivals on Runway 15 and departures on Runway 33. Aircraft must adhere to guidelines for and operations outlined in Instruction 13-217, including prohibitions on 180-degree turns except at runway ends to preserve surface integrity. Weight restrictions are managed through pre-flight coordination of aircraft load charts () at least 2.5 hours prior to takeoff, ensuring compatibility with the runway's load-bearing capacity. Anti-icing protocols incorporate the use of AN-8 fuel, a variant with anti-gelling additives to prevent formation in extreme cold. Operations are coordinated with Christchurch International Airport in , serving as the primary gateway for deep-field missions under , facilitated by daily interagency meetings involving the 13th Air Expeditionary Group (13 AEG) and the NSF prime contractor. In emergencies, such as adverse weather preventing wheeled landings, aircraft can divert to , which supports ski-equipped operations. Pilots operating at Phoenix Airfield undergo mandatory training for conditions, including a course rules briefing provided by the Programme (NPP) in or McMurdo's (Mac ). This training emphasizes (VFR) and whiteout avoidance, where low visibility from snow, fog, or uniform lighting can disorient pilots; strategies include reliance on aids, potential diversions to ski-only sites like the Whiteout Landing Area on the , and simulator practice for whiteout scenarios to maintain .

Seasonal Logistics

Phoenix Airfield operates within the austral , primarily from early to mid-March, to align with Antarctica's brief period of milder temperatures and increased daylight that enable safe wheeled landings on its compacted snow runway. This operational window supports heavy intercontinental missions, transporting essential supplies and personnel from , , to . A critical to the region's environmental cycles is the approximately six-week closure, or "gap period," from mid-December to early , when surface softening due to seasonal ice melt renders the unusable for wheeled operations. During this interval, logistics shift to nearby , where ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft from the New York Air National Guard's handle reduced cargo volumes and essential resupply flights to deep-field sites and McMurdo. This transition ensures continuity of support despite the limitations of wheeled infrastructure. Peak season activities at Phoenix Airfield focus on high-volume transport, facilitating the movement of over 1,000 personnel, including scientists and support staff, alongside approximately 10 million pounds of cargo annually to sustain and remote research camps. These efforts underscore the airfield's role as the primary hub for efficient, large-scale in the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), prioritizing rapid delivery of equipment, scientific instruments, and consumables during the short operational window. To mitigate disruptions from the gap period, USAP employs fuel and supply caching strategies, prepositioning reserves at McMurdo and forward sites via early-season deliveries to bridge logistical gaps and maintain year-round station viability. These caches, including and critical spares, are strategically stored in insulated facilities to withstand winter extremes. Following the summer season's conclusion in mid-March, decommissioning processes commence to preserve the for the next cycle, involving snow plowing to remove accumulated layers and controlled drifting, followed by storage and site monitoring until the subsequent build-up phase. This maintenance ensures the airfield's structural integrity against winter winds and snowfall.

Significance

Role in US Antarctic Program

Phoenix Airfield serves as a critical logistics hub for the United States Antarctic Program (USAP), enabling the efficient transport of personnel and supplies to McMurdo Station and remote sites such as Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. During the austral summer season, it supports up to 1,100 personnel at McMurdo, with additional capacity for approximately 150 at the South Pole Station during the summer season, facilitating the annual deployment of approximately 3,500 USAP participants involved in research and support activities. This infrastructure allows for the rapid influx of scientists and support staff, ensuring sustained operations across the continent's harsh environment. The airfield facilitates the delivery of heavy cargo essential for scientific endeavors, including specialized research equipment such as ice core drilling rigs and astronomical telescopes deployed at remote stations. U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, capable of carrying over 100,000 pounds of payload per flight, utilize Phoenix to offload more than 2.5 million pounds of supplies annually, significantly reducing dependence on seasonal sea resupply via icebreakers. This enhanced airlift capability directly bolsters USAP's research objectives, from to , by enabling timely delivery of bulky, high-value instruments that would otherwise face prolonged transit delays. Compared to its predecessor, Pegasus White Ice Runway, Phoenix offers improved safety and operational reliability, with procedural advancements that minimize weather-related disruptions and enhance emergency medical evacuations (medevacs). Its compacted snow runway supports year-round wheeled aircraft operations, resulting in fewer delays from whiteout conditions or ice instability that plagued earlier facilities. For instance, Phoenix has been instrumental in coordinating medevacs, including international collaborations where allied aircraft land to extract personnel from McMurdo. For example, in June 2024, a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H conducted a rare mid-winter medical evacuation, landing at Phoenix Airfield to extract a from . Phoenix integrates with broader international efforts under the Antarctic Treaty System, occasionally hosting flights from partner nations to support collaborative logistics and research. Examples include Royal New Zealand Air Force operations from Christchurch, New Zealand, underscoring the airfield's role in fostering multinational cooperation while prioritizing peaceful scientific pursuits. All USAP airfield operations, including those at Phoenix, are funded through the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs, which allocates a substantial portion of its budget to logistics enabling Antarctic science.

Challenges and Improvements

Phoenix Airfield faces persistent challenges due to its location on the , where variability in snow compaction requires annual reconstruction and maintenance to ensure integrity for wheeled operations. High winds and blowing snow frequently disrupt activities, necessitating adaptive strategies to mitigate visibility and surface conditions. exacerbates these issues through accelerated basal melting on the , potentially affecting long-term stability and requiring ongoing rebuilding efforts. In 2023, the (MLS) at Phoenix Airfield was decommissioned, with operations shifting to enhanced RNAV (GPS) approaches for improved cost efficiency and reliability in low-visibility conditions. This transition builds on earlier capabilities, including TACAN, to support safer year-round flights without the maintenance demands of ground-based systems. Improvements since 2020 include integration of sources, such as wind turbines at , to power support buildings and reduce reliance on for airfield ancillary operations. Upgraded storage and distribution systems have also enhanced logistical efficiency, minimizing environmental risks from spills in the harsh setting. These enhancements aim to bolster operational resilience amid evolving ice conditions. Environmental monitoring programs assess the airfield's from fuel combustion and equipment use, while evaluating impacts on local wildlife, such as Adélie penguins, through regular surveys to ensure compliance with the Antarctic Treaty Protocol.

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