Chief Master Sgt. Jim Masura is constantly reminded how lucky he is to have a chance every year to be part of the 446th Airlift Wing's participation in Operation Deep Freeze.

He's often approached at the commissary by Airmen anxious to become part of the team that provides airlift of cargo and personnel into and out of McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

"People are willing to carry my bags to get on this mission," Masura said with a laugh.

And despite the fact Masura has been a key part of the mission for 11 years, he still cherishes it every year.

The same rings true for Senior Master Sgt. Lance Gustafson, also a Reservist with the 446th AW.

"It's the seventh continent," Gustafson said. "Who gets to go to the seventh continent?"

For the third year in a row, the McChord Field contingent to Operation Deep Freeze helped set records for most missions, flying hours and cargo hauled in Antarctica. Operation Deep Freeze is the U.S. military's support of science and research activities conducted by the U.S. Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Up to thirteen Reservists per rotation from the 446th AW, along with Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing, rotated in and out of Christchurch, New Zealand from August 2010 to February 2011. This season marked the first time C-17 crews planned and flew four missions using night vision goggles, extending their capability to deliver supplies anytime in the season. For the entire season, crews from McChord flew more than 5 million pounds of cargo and over 5,250 passengers in 71 missions.

"Every year we do the mission, we progress," said Masura, who serves as the operations superintendent on the rotations.

"We have to figure out something new to offer," he added with a laugh. "We're a complete package now."

The Airmen from McChord, operating as the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, airdropped cargo at the South Pole Station in December, providing proficiency training on such missions for both the air and ground crews.

"We've shown (the National Science Foundation) what we can do, and now they are really utilizing us," said Masura, a Graham resident.

While ships bring in most of the supplies and equipment to McMurdo, they come only at the beginning and end of the season. Passengers have more freedom to come and go from the facility in shorter intervals thanks to the reliability of C-17 Deep Freeze crews.

"We're giving them the frequency they need," Masura said.

Deep Freeze crews work closely with the many agencies at McMurdo to make the best use of each flight.

"Their loadplanners are great at utilizing the aircraft," said Gustafson, a Shelton resident.

Both chief loadmasters admit that the extra cargo delivered this year and records set didn't make the mission feel much different. But that didn't mean there wasn't any excitement. Although Deep Freeze crews missed the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck in September 2010, they did deal with a rough bout of aftershocks in February that knocked out power at their hotel for nearly three days. Crews also dealt with two rounds of severe storms that put operations on hold.

"It can take a toll on you when there is bad weather," Masura said.

But that didn't stop the Airmen from leaving their left their mark on the region, as the group donated nearly $6,500 to local charities in Christchurch during the year. The proceeds were gathered from marketing of C-17 Deep Freeze merchandise and donations from the groups.

This year's Deep Freeze mission was Gustafson's last, as he's retiring from the Air Force Reserve this month and moving back to Wisconsin.

"I'm definitely going to miss it," he said.

Editor's note: Information from a 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs story was used in this article.