As a part time freelance aviation writer based in Christchurch New Zealand, I am privileged to be able to cover the United States Navy Deep Freeze air operations in Antarctica. In early 1999 I wrote an extensive historical history of VX-6 Squadron covering 1955-99, for a British historic aviation journal AIR Enthusiast.

At this point, the idea to write a book of the renowned Squadrons illustrious history in Antarctica was conceived and encouraged by my late wife Shirley, along with many old OAEs. A book had to be written of their exploits in Antarctica, and their story had to be told as a chronicle of their achievements on the frozen continent, their sadness, their joys, their lifetime friendships, and the links they cemented with Christchurch.

Like early aviators who had only their wits and reflexes to bring their aircraft down safely, their planes were mere collages of wood, cloth and wire, difficult to control and so sensitive to air currents that even a moderate zephyr could knock them to the ground, while their engines were weak and unreliable, not dissimilar to those early VX-6 aviators, risking their lives, but unlike their early aviation pioneers, the Navy were not risking pride, fame and fortunes, their role was risking their lives to open up the frontier of science and Antarctic exploration.

While other books and publications have been written on Operation Deep Freeze, the part that the famous Air Development Squadron Six played in those 44 years, and the US Navys role in Antarctica, I believe this is the first book written about the very men and women whos exploits could best be described as the last pioneers of aviation exploration. They were the Boys Own flying ace heroes, the Biggles of the 20th century, or the Baron von Richthofens, or the Americans Eddie Richenbacker of World War I Flying Circus.

These young intrepid aviators of VX-6 were continuing the Heritage of Kitty Hawk and their achievements are acknowledge with profound admiration, for their exploits and heroism in the finest traditions of the United States Naval aviation.

Of these OAEs, many of whom I never met, yet I have communicated with them over the past three years would consider them all, without exception, life time friends. I am indeed privileged to have known such a gathering of a bunch of talented and brave aviators who changed Antarctic aviation forever.

This is the story of their achievements flying with planes never manufactured to operate in such harsh climates, and recording their enormous contributions made writing this book possible. Their stories are spattered with humour, for humour was part of what life was on the ice. Their wit, using their tongue savagely at times or charmingly or seductively, was all part of life on the ice in their Jamesway huts. Laughter and seriousness, all happening at the same time, was one way of surviving the isolation and absent families. Beneath the banter there was a pride in what their mates had achieved, and in taking great pleasure in recounting these episodes at length over a long cool beer.

Some paid the ultimate price to advance the cause of science and Antarctic exploration, others have passed away to walk with the angels and catch up with old mates. Men like Eddie Frankiewicz, whose assistance in the writing of this book was immeasurable, although, I never meet Eddie, who passed away on May 9 2003, he still sent me original copies of valued personal, precious material, press cuttings and photos. Just copy what you want and post it back in your own time, he said. That was this mans enormous trust in me. Eddie generosity embodies hundreds of other OAEs, all of whom I treat as personal friends with a colourful treasure trove of Antarctic aviation knowledge, who without hesitation searched their minds and memories for me, exchanging e-mails on a regular basis.

To all these proud American men and women who have served their country in Antarctic, I have dedicated this book

This is a story of Courage-SacrificeDevotion, which just happens to be the Squadrons Motto. To them Christchurch, New Zealand was their second home for 44 years, and the camaraderie and overwhelming hospitality they received from the folk of Christchurch was two way, and the day the squadron said farewell to the city in February 1999 after their decommissioning, was indeed a sad day, but memories of their occupation will last in the hearts of New Zealanders for many years.

It would be impossible to acknowledge all those who have assisted in the writing of this book, as at times I felt inadequate to undertake such a project. I have taken every possible care to check and recheck all information. This is their story, told by the OAEs themselves, although contributions have come from many sources, every endeavour has been made, recognizing the fact that some stories related could vary a little or be coloured from the actual truth due to the intervening 50 years, but stories which still illustrate their comradeship in what must have been the most taxing and remote peacetime military operation in history.

I am grateful to the United States Navy, the US Naval News and all private collections for permission to publish all the photos herein as well as other material. To acknowledge everyone who contributed would be a volume in itself.