Seven Airmen from McChord Field were awarded the Air Medal during a ceremony at the base July 29 for their role in evacuating an ailing government contractor from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in June.

In front of Rodeo competitors from military bases all across the world, Gen. Ray Johns, Air Mobility Command commander, pinned medals on four active-duty Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing and three Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing.

Airmen recognized from the 62nd AW were Lt. Col. Robert Wellington, C-17 pilot and mission commander; Maj. Dan Tarleton and Maj. Mike Parker, both pilots; and Chief Master Sgt. Harold Simpson, a loadmaster. Airmen from the 446th AW who were recognized were Lt. Col. Monty McDaniel, a pilot; and Chief Master Sgt. Jim Masura and Master Sgt. Scott Dellinger, both loadmasters.

The mission was historic due to the fact that Operation Deep Freeze (ODF) crews don't ordinarily fly down to Antarctica during the continent's winter months because of the unpredictable weather conditions. But the crew's extensive training and progress it has made over the years has extended the reach and timeframe of the mission.

"I think we've proved by doing these small steps and improving every year that we can do this safely," Masura, an ODF veteran, said. "Two years ago (the contractor) would have to sit there until we got there on Aug. 15. That would be almost two months."

The aircrew began the planning for the emergency McMurdo mission at McChord Field on a short notice tasking. Sixteen hours after first receiving the tasking, the crew was off and flying in a C-17 Globemaster III on its way to Christchurch, New Zealand. On the way, it loaded aeromedical evacuation and critical care air transport teams at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, before staging in Christchurch. Once at Christchurch, the crews received their required crew rest, and soon after were off to Antarctica.

"(Because of the training) by the time this mission came down, all the questions were answered," said McDaniel, a pilot for United Airlines in his civilian job. "Everyone knew their job and everything just kind of fell into place."

Using night vision goggles and guided by reflective markers on the glacial runway, McDaniel guided the aircraft to a safe landing. After arriving, the crew was only on the ground for 42 minutes while the patient was prepared to fly back to New Zealand. The aircrew airlifted her to life-saving medical care less than 48 hours after departing their aerial port of embarkation, which was nearly 10,000 miles away.

"(Receiving) the medal is nice, but it's kind of secondhand for being able to do what is practiced," said Dellinger, another ODF veteran who also works for the Kent Fire Department. "We practice a lot of stuff. All we every do is practice it. We never actually get to do it for real. This was nice because we actually got to do it for real."

The crew also achieved yet another first in a mission that has continually changed to meet the needs of its main customer, the National Science Foundation.

"Now we've opened up the last continent on earth, we can go down there 365 days a year," Masura said. "Every year we try to find something new to better support the user, the National Science Foundation, and other countries. It's helping the world."

"There's not a lot of aviation firsts up there, so there's a little bit of (excitement) in that," said McDaniel. "But we were focusing on getting the job done. It's a very professional group that stepped up."

The Air Medal was established May 11, 1942. It is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the U.S. armed forces, distinguishes him or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

Information from an Air Mobility Command story was used in this article.