MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica -- Master Sgt. Carmello Modesto loads equipment sleds destined for the U.S. Antarctic Program's South Pole research station into the back of an LC-130 Hercules here. The cargo plane, from the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, took the long way to the pole to retrace the route of the first South Pole flight by Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd 75 years ago. (Courtesy photo)