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Operation Highjump was one of the military’s coldest missions to date
By Bethaney Phillips ·
We Are The Mighty
· Sunday, February 22, 2026
· 1 min read
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Recent cold snaps in the Southern US have given many Americans a new appreciation for their typical temperate climate. However, for military personnel, working in extreme cold is a serious undertaking
Recent cold snaps in the Southern US have given many Americans a new appreciation for their typical temperate climate. However, for military personnel, working in extreme cold is a serious undertaking that requires years of training. The US Navy's Task Force 68 embarked on a significant mission in 1946 and 1947, establishing the Antarctic research base Little America IV.
This endeavor, known as Operation Highjump, aimed to train personnel and test equipment in frigid conditions. Further details about Operation Highjump and its objectives are available from the source, including the challenges of working in the harsh Arctic environment and the goals of the mission.
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Our analysis The success of Operation Highjump, a massive Antarctic expedition led by the US Navy in 1946 and 1947, relied on careful planning and coordination to overcome the continent's extreme conditions. With a large force of 4,700 men, 13 ships, and 33 aircraft, the mission aimed to establish a research base, test equipment, and expand US sovereignty over the region. The operation's objectives also included developing techniques for building and operating air bases on ice, which would later inform military strategy in other cold-weather environments. The Coast Guard's role in the mission, including the icebreaker Northwind's rescue of a submarine, highlights the importance of inter-service cooperation in achieving complex operational goals. As the US military continues to operate in diverse and challenging environments, the lessons learned from Operation Highjump remain relevant, particularly in terms of logistics, adaptability, and the need for effective communication and coordination across different branches and units.
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