Beck's Blog 4- "Kenny" sightings

  • Published
  • By by Chief Master Sgt. Michael Beck
  • 349th Civil Engineer Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As the weather continues to turn and we get closer and closer to total darkness, McMurdo Station is the scene of many "Kenny" sightings. "Kennys" or the "Big Red" is the term affectionately given to those Big Red coats that have been associated with visions of Antarctica.
 
The name "Kenny" comes from the "South Park" cartoon Character, "Kenny", since when you wear the coat you look like "Kenny." Often times, you can only see a person's eyes, and you have no idea who they are.

If you were issued the "One Piece" cold weather ensemble, then that is referred to as "Randy," Ralphy's little brother from that beloved classic, "The Christmas Story." The coats are originally issued with a Velcro name tape affirming your first and last name.

That helped a bit at first, however, with more time spent on the ice, those tags are changed out with name tapes bearing names that resemble radio call signs, like "Goose", "Grump" and "Knot Head". If you have recorded ice time at the South Pole, then you can wear your name tag upside down, since from that point everything is up.