McMurdo Station is the largest American scientific outpost in Antarctica, located on the southern tip of Ross Island, near the active volcano Mount Erebus. It was established in 1955 by the U.S. Navy and today is operated by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). The base functions as the main logistical and research hub for all American Antarctic operations. From McMurdo, cargo and personnel are flown to the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station