Operation Highjump – Emergency Withdrawal Operation Highjump was a massive U.S. Navy expedition launched in 1946–1947, officially described as a large-scale training and research mission in Antarctica under the command of Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Despite being planned to last several months, the operation was abruptly terminated weeks earlier than expected. Ships and aircraft were recalled suddenly, and the mission ended without a clear public explanation, fueling speculation that something unex