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WELLINGTON (Reuters) - One of the last shipments to a U.S. research base in Antarctica before the onset of winter darkness was a year’s supply of condoms, a New Zealand newspaper reported Monday.
Bill Henriksen, the manager of the McMurdo base station, said nearly 16,500 condoms were delivered last month and would be made available, free of charge, to staff throughout the year to avoid the potential embarrassment of having to buy them.
The base only has a skeleton staff through the long winter.
“Since everybody knows everyone, it becomes a little bit uncomfortable,” Henriksen told the Southland Times newspaper.
About 125 scientists and staff are stationed at McMurdo base, the largest community in Antarctica, during the winter months when there is constant darkness.
The first sunrise will occur on August 20 and McMurdo’s population will start to increase again in September when supply flights resume, peaking at more than 1,000 during the summer period.
(Reporting by Kazunori Takada, editing by Miral Fahmy)

in.reuters.com

Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, DC, USA on Tuesday 15 April 2008. The Pope will make stops in Washington and New York City during his six-day visit. This is his first trip to the U.S. since being elected head of the Roman Catholic Church almost three years ago. EPA/MATTHEW CAVANAUGH
Pope Benedict XVI arrives on Shepherd One at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, USA, 15 April 2008. In a show of respect, this is the first time President Bush has left the White House to meet an arriving foreign dignitary. EPA/SHAWN THEW
Pope Benedict XVI steps off Shepherd One at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland USA 15 April 2008. In a show of respect, this is the first time President Bush has left the White House to meet an arriving foreign dignitary. EPA/SHAWN THEW
U.S. President George W. Bush, with First Lady Laura Bush (R) and Daughter Jenna Bush (2-R), greets Pope Benedict XVI (L) as he steps off Shepherd One at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland USA 15 April 2008. In a show of respect, this is the first time President Bush has left the White House to meet an arriving foreign dignitary. EPA/SHAWN THEW
Pope Benedict XVI waves after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Maryland, USA, April 15, 2008. On Wednesday Pope Benedict XVI will visit the White House and on Thursday he will he will say Mass at the Nationals Baseball stadium. EPA/MARK WILSON / POOL
Pope Benedict XVI steps off Shepard One at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland USA 15 April 2008. In a show of respect, this is the first time President Bush has left the White House to meet an arriving foreign dignitary. EPA/SHAWN THEW
U.S. President George W. Bush (L) greets Pope Benedict XVI (R) upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Maryland, USA, April 15, 2008. On Wednesday Pope Benedict XVI will visit the White House and on Thursday he will he will say Mass at the Nationals Baseball stadium. EPA/MARK WILSON / POOL

news.monstersandcritics.com

It was the sound of F-18 Hornet fighters, the brightly decorated first of the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron practicing for free air shows Saturday and Sunday at Barksdale Air Force Base.
“I was at Lowe’s, and everyone was watching them as they flew overhead,” said Suzanne Patterson, a financial adviser at the Chase Bank branch in the 1600 block of Line Avenue. “Everyone was just puzzled and first and we thought something was going on, but then we realized it was the Blue Angels” she said. “They were so pretty. It makes you proud to be an American.”
The airplanes were a familiar sight to people after a series of practice runs that took them over most of the major historic neighborhoods, including Highland and Broadmoor.
The Blue Angels continued to practice formation flying above the base flight line as a group of curious Air Force members and families watched, enjoying a free show.
Pamela Hale was there with her 14-year-old daughter, Hannah, and with friend Kelly Hall and her children Katy, 12; Joey, 7; and Josh, 4.
“It’s exciting for the kids to see and experience this firsthand,” Pamela Hale said.
“I think they’re really interesting,” said Joey Hall, who has seen the Blue Angels once before, at Andrews Air Force Base. “They’re pretty cool.”
The Blue Angels pilots are Cdr. Kevin Mannix, of Lindenhurst, N.Y.; Lt. Cdr. Paul Brantuas, of San Diego; Lt. Mark Swinger, of Warrenton, Va.; U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Clint Harris, of Senath, Mo.; Lt. Cdr. Craig Olson, of Kirkland, Wash.; and Maj. Nathan Miller, of Lapeer, Mich.
Pilots of the unit’s support C-130, nicknamed “Fat Albert,” are U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Russ Campbell, of Houston, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Drew Hess, of Rockford, Ill., and U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Brendan Burks, of Auburn, Ala.

shreveporttimes.com