As announced by various sources yesterday, the Argentine Air Force successfully completed the first flight of one of its Saab 340s to Antarctica. While it had been speculated that the destination of the aircraft from the IX Air Brigade was Base Petrel, it arrived in the late afternoon on Sunday at the Joint Antarctic Base Marambio, as evidenced by a series of viralized images.
The decision to use the Saab 340s of the IX Air Brigade was confirmed by the Chief of the Argentine Air Force on the occasion of the incorporation of the second Embraer ERJ-140 T-96 “Paloma Gaucha.” During his speech, Brigadier Mayor Mengo expressed: “The operation will be carried out with the aim of being able to land at the joint base of Petrel before the end of the 2023/2024 Antarctic campaign. That milestone is very important because it will be the first time an airplane lands there.”
The use of Saab 340 aircraft on unpaved runways, such as those available at Petrel or Marambio Base, is unprecedented for this weapons system throughout its operational life in the IX Air Brigade. As part of the preparations for this deployment to the White Continent, the Argentine Air Force conducted operations with this system on unprepared runways, such as the Saab 340 operations during Exercise Fénix 2023. A noteworthy aspect is that this flight would take place before the conclusion of the 2023/2024 Antarctic Campaign.
While originally it was reported that the destination of the Argentine Air Force’s Saab 340 T-34 was Base Petrel, the aircraft’s destination was the Joint Antarctic Base Marambio. Having completed the milestone for this weapons system, marking the first time this aircraft completes a flight to Antarctica, it embarked on the return journey with its final destination being Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz province.
Lastly, the Argentine Air Force has not issued an official statement to date that would provide further details on this important milestone achieved for the institution.
*Photograph credits to the rightful owner.
You may also like: The Argentine Air Force starts the deployment of a Saab 340 to the Petrel Antarctic Base
