Interview of Edward M. Ward by Dian O. Belanger

The Antarctic Deep Freeze oral history project was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation and supported by the Antarctic Deep Freeze Association. The original paper copies and unaltered tapes have been deposited in the library of the National Science Foundation.Ed Ward's north polar flying experience brought him to Admiral Dufek's attention when the latter began organizing Operation Deep Freeze in October 1954. He became its first staff member and the acting commanding officer of the Antarctic air squadron VX-6, which he had less than a year to organize, staff, and equip with suitable, available aircraft. In Deep Freeze II, now executive officer of VX-6, he flew an R5D from New Zealand to McMurdo on 17 October 1956, landing after a harrowing fourteen-hour flight just minutes after the fatal crash of a P2V. He flew seven long-range photo missions over Antarctica, and after deterioration of the ice runway forced the wheeled R5D to return to Christchurch, he made similar but shorter-range reconnaissance flights in a ski-equipped Otter. He recalled the beauty of the polar continent, the difficulties of polar flying-the lack of normal navigational aids, whiteout conditions, radio blackouts, fierce and changeable weather.National Science FoundationAntarctic Deep Freeze Associatio