Christchurch gives civic award to American
Mayor Bob Parker with Lt Col James McGann
*****
Ten years of service to Christchurch saw, for the first time, an American receive a city civic award from the Mayor Bob
Parker on Friday
Lt. Col. James McGann, whose latest achievement was landing the giant USAF C-17 aircraft in pitch dark on the
ice-covered airfield on Antarctica using night vision goggles, has been stationed in Christchurch for the past 10 years.
He is the commander of the New Zealand-based Operation Deep Freeze and mission commander for the C-17 operations since
2005.
"It is a real honour that the Christchurch Civic Award is able to present Jim with a civic award,' says Shirley Johnson,
Civic & International Relations Manager with the city council.
"Jim is also one of those people, who despite a hectic schedule, has always had time to help others- Whether it be
charity work or just making extra time for new pilots in training - he seems to pick up the extra work with a grin and
legendary humour," says Ms Johnson. Lt. Col. James McGann returns to the USA next month.
The award, given out by Mayor Bob Parker at the ceremony marking the start of the Antarctic Festival 2008 held at the
Robert McDougall Gallery, "was a chance to thank the American programme for all it contributes to the city, and to thank
Lt. Col. McGann in particular as the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander of Operation Deep Freeze in
Christchurch."
The Nomination Criteria for the awards states: "Christchurch Civic Awards generally celebrate the work of Christchurch
residents but in exceptional circumstances an award may be made to a non-resident, if their work has been done in
Christchurch and benefited the city".
Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Washington, USA, fly supplies to the National Science Foundation research centre in
Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze. In between sorties, they demonstrate their appreciation to the community
they stage out of, in this case, Christchurch.
The Deep Freeze crews use their off-duty time to raise funds for local charities. In the past three years they have
donated thousands of dollars to Christchurch organizations, as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Children's
Hope Trust.
ENDS