Exploring the intriguing history behind the U.S. Navy's missions to Antarctica and what they were looking for in Operation Highjump. In 1946, the U.S. Navy embarked on a mission to the most desolate place in the world: Antarctica. The excursion was short-lived, unorganized, and random; it prompted more questions than answers. Officials claimed it was to gather geographical data, but the world speculated the motives were much more sinister. Today, we’re investigating Operation Highjump.