Assistant Chief of Police James Bolling of the Purcell Police Department is no stranger to leadership, both in his role with the local police department and as an Air Force Command Chief with the 446th Airlift Wing based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Washington.

Recently, Bolling took part in Operation Deep Freeze (ODF), which is a unique mission supporting scientific research in one of the most remote and challenging environments on earth.

ODF, managed by the U.S. Air Force and the National Science Foundation, involves transporting scientists, personnel and equipment to Antarctica to enable critical research on topics like climate change, biology and geology.

The mission operates out of Christchurch, New Zealand, and includes flights to McMurdo Station and Scott Field in Antarctica.

These flights often contend with extreme weather conditions and require precision in logistics and operations.

Bolling’s role in the mission showcased the versatility of the 446th AW, an Air Force Reserve unit equipped with C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

The wing provides airlift capabilities crucial to delivering supplies, heavy equipment and personnel to remote outposts on the frozen continent.

The team’s expertise ensures that scientific teams have what they need to conduct groundbreaking research in harsh Antarctic conditions.

“This mission highlights the importance of partnerships between military units and scientific communities,” Bolling said.

“It’s an honor to contribute to something that has a global impact while representing the professionalism and dedication of the 446th AW.”

Balancing his dual roles, Bolling continues to demonstrate exceptional leadership, whether managing public safety in his city or supporting international operations through the Air Force Reserve.

His efforts underscore the commitment of citizen-airmen who serve their communities both locally and globally.