Retired Navy Pilot Shares Antarctic Experience

Northern California’s Paradise Valley Estates Life Plan Community was founded by retired military officers in 1997. In the years since, the community has been home to many honorable people who have served the United States through their experiences as military service members.

In the late 60s and early 70s, Lieutenant Commander Lawrence W. Coor, U.S. Navy, completed two, six-month deployments to support the United States Antarctic Research Program. Now called the United States Antarctic Program, the organization remains part of the United States government and maintains the nation’s presence on the continent of Antarctica. During his service, Coor piloted the unique Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a retractable-ski-equipped military transport aircraft. The plane can take-off and land on standard runways, ice runways, ski ways, as well as unprepared areas of open snow.

Fun fact: The Coor Crags, near Cox Point and the coast of Marie Byrd Land, were named for the pilot. He shared his memories of his time in the Antarctic region and what the area looks like now in Paradise Valley Estates’ Interview with Larry Coor.