Alabama Air Guard Chaplain returns from deployment to Antarctica

MONTGOMERY, AL (03/28/2011)(readMedia)-- Lieutenant Colonel Larry D. Layne, Senior Chaplain, 226 Combat Communications Wing has returned to warm sunny Alabama from a 60-day deployment to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The National Science Foundation (NSF) established this station in 1956 with no intention of building the Chapel of the Snows that stands today. Several buildings served as makeshift chapels until the Chapel of the Snows was built in 1989. The Air Guard deploys three chaplains to the station every year during the austral summer in support of the NSF. "In Antarctica the science mission is the number one and only reason why we are there," said Layne. The first chaplain of the year takes the Erebus Chalice, which was carried on an expedition led by Sir James Clark Ross, to the chapel. The last chaplain brings the Chalice back to the Christ Church Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand. The chalice is one of the most treasured items on station and among the oldest relics on the continent.

"Our job was to maintain a fully functional chapel and visit work sites," said Layne. "It was much like being deployed to the desert. There are so many similarities, and I think experience served me well." Deployment to the Antarctic is like deployment to the desert because of isolation and adaptation. "There are all the typical things you expect in the desert but the biggest difference is in the desert you are battling other countries and people," said Layne. "In Antarctica it's man against nature and man against himself." Also, the military isn't in charge – it is just a support group. In this part of the world, the military takes directive from the NSF. "We're not in charge." Along with these challenges, Layne said he faced personal obstacles as a chaplain. "It was a highly scientific, highly educated community. You're in a culture where there are many alternative religions."

Despite all of the challenges this deployment presented, Layne endured. Like the chaplains before him and the chaplains to follow him in coming years, he did what was necessary to complete the mission. Now that he is home he has returned to his civilian job as a Hospice Chaplain at Baptist Health.

By: SPC Brenda N. Thomas

Posted Monday March 28, 2011 at 03:32 pm by Alabama National Guard
Last Updated Tuesday March 29, 2011 at 09:12 am