Third-graders learn about Antarctica from Air National Guard member

Barkley third-graders learned what it’s like to live at the bottom of the world during a visit from Master Sgt. William Gizara, a member of the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing.

Students in Irene Swiderski’s and Catherine Laurilla-Hard’s third-grade classes have been learning about the Arctic and Antarctica. Master Sgt. Gizara, an Amsterdam native, showed students videos and pictures of what it’s like to visit those frozen tundra areas.

The 109th Airlift Wing, headquartered in Scotia, has two missions: it flies scientists to and from research centers in Antarctica and Greenland and performs rescue missions from combat zones and other remote locations around the world.

The 109th flies the U.S. Air Force’s only ski-equipped C-130 airplanes, which are capable of taking off from and landing on polar snow and ice. The unit needs these planes because it routinely flies scientists to and from Scott Base in Antarctica. Sometimes the wing is required to rescue sick personnel in temperatures so cold that the plane fuel is in danger of freezing.

Master Sgt. Gizara shared many of his exciting adventures at the bottom of the world, using PowerPoint pictures and videos to "virtually" take the students to Antarctica. The students enjoyed his humor and presentation so much that they invited him to stay for their recess game of kickball.

To view a photo gallery of Master Sgt. Gizara's visit, click here.