With more than fifty scientific projects completed, the activities of the XXXIII 2017-2018 Summer Campaign of the National Program of Research in Antarctica (PNRA), financed by the National Association of Research in Antarctica (PNRA), were concluded with the ceremony of ammainabandiera at the Antarctic station Mario Zucchelli of Baia Terra Nova. MIUR with the scientific coordination of the CNR and logistics of ENEA and the participation of the Armed Forces.
Heart of the Expedition, the research activity that has allowed to achieve significant results in the fields of atmospheric physics, biology, glaciology, geology and in various other areas for which the groups of numerous Italian universities and research centers have developed their do you study. Equally important were the activities of a logistical nature, maintenance of the structures and preparation and maintenance of the intermediate landing stations for flights to the base of Concordia and Dumont D'Urville. In this context, the contribution of a specialized team of Aeronautica Militare engineers to the realization of the semi-prepared Boulder Clay track is of particular importance. The project, which is developing during the last expeditions, will see this infrastructure allow an ever greater flexibility of access to the Mario Zucchelli Station, allowing it to become an important hub for the movement of international scientific personnel operating in the northern part of the Ross Sea. Terre Vittoria.
For the purpose of the success of the expedition, significant contribution of the Ministry of Defense to the Campaign, which participated with 25 engaged military. Pilots, weather forecasters, mechanics, mountain guides, raiders and divers from Army, Navy and Air Force have guaranteed their full support to the research and logistics activities within the Antarctic continent. In addition, 70 dives and sorties carried out at sea by divers and raiders for sampling and positioning of detection devices were. Also important is the construction, by mountain guides, of a remote field at 250 Km from the base.
