Twenty-three Italian soldiers from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Arma dei Carabinieri take part in the 2022-23 summer campaign which will last 4 months.
The mission will see the participation of 240 technicians and researchers in the field, engaged in 50 research projects, mainly focused on atmospheric sciences, geology, paleoclimate, biology, oceanography and astronomy.
Searches will be directed by the stations Mario Zucchelli e Concord, on the Italian oceanographic research ship Laura bassi and at some Antarctic stations in other countries. In addition, a C-130J aircraft of the 46th Air Force Air Brigade, with crews trained to operate in extreme climatic and environmental conditions, in this specific case on icy runways (landing on the pack), will make the connections between Christchurch (New Zealand), the Italian MZS base and the American one in McMurdo, ensuring the transport of passengers and materials according to the needs represented by ENEA.
40 soldiers of the Italian Air Force based in Christchurch will be employed to support this operation.
The Defense specialists, within the specific competences of the Armed Force to which they belong, will support the PNRA, for external campaigns, naval and underwater activities, helicopter and aircraft operations, weather forecasts and completion of the landing strip on land, contributing to achieve the objectives of the expedition.
