1/9/2013 - Col. Bruce Bowers, Reserve commander of the 446th Airlift Wing, presents a gift to Mayor Bob Parker of Christchurch, New Zealand Jan. 9. The gift was given as gratitude for the mayor's support of Operation Deep Freeze. Christchurch International Airport is the staging point for C-17 operations to Antarctica in support in Operation Deep Freeze. The National Science Foundation manages the United States Antarctic Program which conducts scientific research in the frozen climate. Operation Deep Freeze supports the program by sending C-17s carrying fuel, supplies, and people to the continent. McChord's 446th AW and 62nd Airlift Wing together have transported more than 40,000 passengers and 45 million pounds of cargo since the first mission with the C-17 in 1999. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Madelyn McCullough)