At the beginning of this year, the Chilean Air Force deployed two Black Hawk helicopters to the South Pole during Operation Polar Star III, marking significant milestones in its commitment to scientific development and environmental protection in the Antarctic region.
Follow Aeronews on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Bluesky
The flight made history in several ways. It was the first time a Head of State from the Americas, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, had reached the South Pole. And for the first time, a female Chilean Air Force pilot was part of the crew of a Black Hawk at the South Pole: Captain Natalia Henríquez.
For the two Black Hawks to successfully land at the South Pole in Antarctica, the mission involved multiple stops over seven hours and 6,000 km from Santiago, Chile, which required extensive planning and logistics.
Each day began with operational briefings involving all participants. The aircrews reviewed the weather, fuel, navigation systems, and helicopter performance.
Despite adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and poor visibility, the greatest challenge was refueling in extremely low temperatures. The Black Hawk’s ability to fly in these conditions, along with the crew’s training, made this mission a success.
