U.S., Russia Conduct Joint Antarctic Inspection

Posted by Susannah Cooper / January 31, 2012

Members of a joint United States-Russian Federation team pose for a photo at the United States McMurdo Station in Antarctica in January 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

On January 23, I joined seven other members of a joint U.S.-Russian Federation team that departed Christchurch, New Zealand, for the United States' McMurdo Station in Antarctica to conduct inspections of facilities maintained by other nations in Antarctica. Antarctica is the coldest, driest, windiest, and most isolated continent on Earth. Despite these challenging conditions, there are more than 100 facilities of various sizes and capacities in Antarctica established by almost 30 Antarctic Treaty Parties. The Department of State and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, joined by colleagues from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Russian Antarctic Expedition, co-led the first joint inspection conducted by either country. NSF provided invaluable logistical assistance.

After an eight-hour flight on board a New York Air National Guard ski-equipped LC-130… more »

Posted under: Europe & Eurasia

View Comments (2)

Page 1 of 1 pages