VX-6

rdf:langString VX-6

rdf:langString Air Development Squadron Six

rdf:langString "puckered penguins"

rdf:langString Tail code JD

rdf:langString Tail code XD

rdf:langString CAPT William H. Munson, 1959–61

rdf:langString CDR Arthur F. Schneider, 1968

rdf:langString CDR Daniel Balish, 1967

rdf:langString CDR Edward M. Ward, 1955–57

rdf:langString CDR F.S. Gallup Jr, 1965

rdf:langString CDR George R. Kelly, 1964

rdf:langString CDR Gordon K. Ebbe, June 1955–June 1956

rdf:langString CDR Marion Morris, 1966

rdf:langString CDR Vernon J. Coley, 1957–58

rdf:langString LCDR David B. Eldridge Jr., 1967

rdf:langString LCDR John A. Morton, 1964

rdf:langString LCDR John K. Allison, 1959

rdf:langString LCDR Louis L. Helms, 1961

rdf:langString LCDR William E. Shockley, 1966

rdf:langString LCDR Charles J. McCarthy, Ellsworth Station detachment, 1957–58

rdf:langString Commanding officers

rdf:langString Officer in Charge, winter detachment

rdf:langString "puckered penguins"

rdf:langString Test & Evaluation

rdf:langString Air Development Squadron Six

rdf:langString Air Development Squadron Six (VX-6 or AIRDEVRON SIX, commonly referred to by its nickname, "puckered penguins") was a United States Navy Air Development Squadron based at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Established at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on 17 January 1955, the squadron's mission was to conduct operations in support of Operation Deep Freeze, the operational component of the United States Antarctic Program. Using the tail code XD, the squadron flew numerous fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters over the course of its existence—many of which were pioneering endeavors. For example, the first air link between Antarctica and New Zealand was established by men and aircraft of VX-6 in 1955. The following year, a ski-equipped R4D Dakota of VX-6 became the first aircraft to land at the South Pole. In 1961, the first emergency midwinter medical evacuation flight was conducted from Byrd Station to Christchurch. In 1963, an LC-130F Hercules of VX-6 made the longest flight in Antarctic history. In 1967, a United States Navy LC-130F of VX-6 completed the first scheduled winter flight to Antarctica, landing at Williams Field. VX-6 changed the tail code of its aircraft to JD in 1957, and was redesignated as Antarctic Development Squadron Six (VXE-6) on 1 January 1969. Over the first 14-years of its existence during the time it was designated VX-6, seventeen sailors and marines assigned died in Antarctica during Operation Deep Freeze missions.

rdf:langString Tail code JD (1957–1969)

rdf:langString Tail codeXD (1955–1957)