A friend of mine was a Navy C-130 pilot at VXE-6, which in those days flew folks to Antarctica from Point Mugu, California. They had aircraft in Christchurch, NZ as well.
After my first cruise I had two week of "basket leave" and my buddy asked if I wanted to fly to the ice.
I should have, but couldn't resist the opportunity.
It was the longest four aviation days of my life just to get to NZ. I honestly don't know which is worse, being a passenger in a C-130 flying over the Pacific Ocean at just over 300kts or crossing it on a Frigate.
Coin toss.
Happily, the base in Antarctica was weathered in and I flew home on a big ol' jet liner. Never got to the ice.
