The annual sea-ice runway at McMurdo Station allows heavy-haul wheeled aircraft to operate at the start of a short but vital re-supply season. A top priority of the United States Antarctic Program is to optimize research productivity by ushering scientists and equipment to the continent at the earliest possible date, thus a key operational objective is to extend usage of the seasonal runway for as long a period as is safe and reasonable. In the best of years, air operations are not relocated to a subordinate ski facility until after the ice runway is abandoned because of progressive bottom melting and surface deterioration. During other years, however, the wheeled facility closes prematurely due to a failure at one of two vulnerable transition areas. The VXE-6 transition links the ice road that originates at the runway with the land-based road system around McMurdo Station proper. All priority cargo carried from the runway must cross this transition. The Williams Field transition occurs at the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf where annual sea ice abuts the glacial outcroppings. When the seasonal runway is closed, buildings are towed across the transition to a new location at the ski way. Failure of either of these two vital links is tantamount to failure of the runway itself. This paper acknowledges the role of the VXE-6 and Williams Field transitions in antarctic logistics, tracing problems and solutions that have been forthcoming over the years.
Scientific research in Antarctica is costly and carried out under great hardship to man and machine. It has become a national priority to optimize research productivity by ushering scientists and research equipment to the field at the earliest possible date, thus a key logistical objective is to expedite delivery of high-priority cargo and personnel to the continent at the start of the brief summer season.
