Antartica Troop Development

This was general information that I wanted to share. I was hoping this was the correct thread, I apologize if it isn't.

I have several friends that are stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. I received an email a few hours ago that my friend and several of his peers learned today that they will be leaving Iraq to report to Antartica, boots on the ground 15 December 08.

There's a lot of weirdness out there about Antartica. I was hoping to get some solid feedback on what military interests we have there and why we "maybe" ramping up our presence there. Thanks in advance for responses.

Right time of year for it.
It is "summer" down there.

Thats strange, I have co-workers and friends down in Antarctica on the three Australian bases, Casey, Davis and Mawson, they havent said anything at all

Despite having the largest area of Antartica, I guess nothing happens in the Australian owned bit

hmmm....

Maybe they're about to explore THE LAKE....

and the weird 'anomoly' at it's far end. Might need the added security?

Our Ranger company made the first parachute jump on the North Pole in the early 70's. Once in a while, the military likes to project itself into some of these remote areas to prove they can do it, and to determine what areas of operations and preparations that they would need to improve if the situation ever called for it.

The only other reason I can think of is THE THING.

reply to post by OzWeatherman


Nobody "owns" any part of Antartica, although many nations have claims, quite a few of which overlap with each other.

I believe the current Treaty prohibitting exploitation and "ownership" can be changed after 50 years of being in force, taking it up to 2011. After that, changes can be made with a 75% majority vote of signatory states.

What a harsh shift in climate for these troops.

If you do find out more about the purpose of this odd mission, do post.

Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by OzWeatherman

 

Nobody "owns" any part of Antartica, although many nations have claims, quite a few of which overlap with each other.

I believe the current Treaty prohibitting exploitation and "ownership" can be changed after 50 years of being in force, taking it up to 2011. After that, changes can be made with a 75% majority vote of signatory states.

Yes I agree with that...was a poor choice of words I guess

What I meant was we have the biggest slice in our name

Originally posted by dooper

The only other reason I can think of is THE THING.

Geez, I never thought of that angle!! I wonder if the crazy "Swedes" have blown it up yet??

reply to post by OzWeatherman


Yeah, you greedy buggers!

Not content with having a whole continent to yourselves when you have a total population of around a couple of large british cities, you want to grab a huge slice of the antartic pie too!

And we English get called Imperialists

I'm sure when push comes to shove though, we'll back your claim if you back ours .. Lets beat those Argies to the punch for the second time!

As for the OP, I thought Military missions were banned under the Antarctic Treaty System?

So does anyone know an approximate number of troops or anything?

Ya know, this could be troops preparing for a scene like in the first episode of StarGate Atlantis, but I doubt it.

They're probably just going through the antartic entry into the hollow earth to battle the Mushroom Men Nazis that Hitler created when he took his submarine into the hollow earth through the artic circle entry, I don't know how he made it past the 12' tall hairy Nords though the occupy it, I bet the magma men from the 13th ring of fire intervened.

Yeah, that makes more sense.

-Lahara

Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by OzWeatherman

 

Nobody "owns" any part of Antartica, although many nations have claims, quite a few of which overlap with each other.

I believe the current Treaty prohibitting exploitation and "ownership" can be changed after 50 years of being in force, taking it up to 2011. After that, changes can be made with a 75% majority vote of signatory states.

HYPOTHESIZING HERE...

But what if we're ramping up presence for that time in 2011 when claims CAN be made.
if global warming / solar warming (magnified artificially or not).. exists.. then the eventual outcome could exponentially lead to Antarctica being the "new- New World"
.. virgin land untouched by man (recently at least) with a plethora of resources..

and IF we experience a massive pole shift.. would this new land eventually be a temperate zone?

if so, it would be the most valuable real estate on the planet for further development... not to mention a gold mine for JOBS in a depressed global economy.
Think of the mass migration of desperate recently unemployed labor workers.

Also imagine the (staged or not) warring between major super powers for control of said "new land"

interesting to hypothesize this..

-

or maybe they're going to try and wake ol Cthulhu up...you know the Mountains of Madness.

Best answer thus far! Totally owned me. As I find out more and I should this weekend, I'll be sure and update. Thanks again for all of the replies...

Originally posted by TRX08
Best answer thus far! Totally owned me. As I find out more and I should this weekend, I'll be sure and update. Thanks again for all of the replies...

which one?

Originally posted by theEXxman
or maybe they're going to try and wake ol Cthulhu up...you know the Mountains of Madness.

"The Thing" ripped him off so bad.
also the alien face hugger / eggs idea.
I wonder if Lovecraft was a mason or Illuminati.
I absorbed everything he had to write when I was younger.
Would need a pocket dictionary with me to accompany his books though.


-

Originally posted by DarkspARCS
hmmm....

Maybe they're about to explore THE LAKE....

and the weird 'anomoly' at it's far end. Might need the added security?

Whoa! I didn't know about Lake Ellsworth... what anomaly are you speaking of?? (Apologies for the ignorance!!)

I believe you are refering to the "RUSSIAN" troop deployment there.

You see, since it is a very rich area in mineral resources, Russia is trying to claim it.

Yes, we all know it is not theirs, no matter what BS excuse they have.

It is about trying to control mineral resources which tin-plated DICKtator Putin, trying for a power grab, by trying to control resources.

Yet another example of Putins attemtps to rebuild the Soviet Empire.

There is a lake underneath all that ice. Apparently, it is heated and kept melted by geothermal activity.

Imagine. A lake with pristine waters, unpolluted, thousands of years old. No telling what they'd find there.

Keep in mind, my information is years old, and they may have already punctured and "explored" a bit of it.

The fact that there is a huge lake is fascinating enough.

Originally posted by prevenge
and IF we experience a massive pole shift.. would this new land eventually be a temperate zone?

A pole shift refers to the charge at each of the poles swapping, not a cataclysmic event where the world flips over

[edit on 16/12/2008 by OzWeatherman]

Originally posted by OzWeatherman

Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by OzWeatherman

 

Nobody "owns" any part of Antartica, although many nations have claims, quite a few of which overlap with each other.

I believe the current Treaty prohibitting exploitation and "ownership" can be changed after 50 years of being in force, taking it up to 2011. After that, changes can be made with a 75% majority vote of signatory states.

Yes I agree with that...was a poor choice of words I guess

What I meant was we have the biggest slice in our name

hehe...that's why i like you aussies...that and nicole kidman