 Vicecomodoro Marambio
| |
1969 to present | | Location: | 64 14 S - 56 37 W | | Seymour Island, Antarctica | | ICAO: SAWB | IATA: | Elevation: 232 feet |
|
| History of this Base/Heliport: | | |
The first air explorations conducted by the Argentine Air Force date from 1951 when Vicecomodoro (Lieutenant Colonel) Marambio flew over Margarita Bay in the north east of the Antarctic Peninsula with the Avro Lincoln registration LV-ZEI called Cruz del Sur 
Founded on October 29 1969, Marambio air base is open during the whole year. During the winter the base has an average of 55 crew members, but during the summers the population of the base can grow to 150.
The base has 27 buildings in a total area of 4,278 m2 of which 1,155 are used for accommodation. Has a 45 m2 medical suite attended by 1 doctor and 3 paramedic.
The 1200 m long rock runway is usually used by argentine air force DHC-6 Twin Otter (nearly permanent based there) and C-130 Hercules that usually fly from Rio Gallegos in southeast Argentina.
VII Air Brigade deploys 2 Bell 212 to Marambio during the summer (december-march) to support the international scientific campaign.
Marambio and all other argentine antarctic bases are visited during the summer by the icebreaker ARA Almirante Irizar with the navy Sea King and army Super Puma onboard. The helicopters are essential to resupply the bases so they could survive another hard winter
|