The Royal New Zealand Air Force carried out a “complex” and “high-risk” medical evacuation from Antarctica overnight.
One US diplomat described the successful mission as “daring, dangerous, and deeply courageous”.
The evacuation from McMurdo Station — the largest research station on the continent, located on Ross Island’s southern tip — was requested by the US National Science Foundation because staff were unable to get the care they needed in Antarctica.
A C-130J Hercules was sent from Auckland to Christchurch on Sunday while the crew waited for a gap in the weather. The crew decided to fly yesterday afternoon and worked through the night.
One person who required urgent care, as well as two others who needed medical attention, were picked up by the Air Force from the Antarctic base.
Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said the crew contended with challenging conditions, landing a large aircraft in freezing temperatures. The crew needed night vision goggles in the extreme darkness.
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On the ground, staff at the base had to create a runway to ensure the ice was suitable for landing.
“Although they determine it is safe, it’s still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on night vision goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge,” Scott said.
“This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly.”
Once on the ice, the plane’s engines remained running to keep them warm while refuelling, known as “hot refuelling”.
Including the short time on the ice, the whole operation took around 19.5 hours.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Melissa Sweeney said the crew executed the mission “flawlessly”.
“This required absolute precision. It was daring, dangerous, and deeply courageous. This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery. The Royal New Zealand Air Force delivered, just as they always do.”
The aircraft flew back to New Zealand with Defence Forece medical personnel, including a doctor, on board to care for the patients.
The flight touched down in Christchurch this morning, with those evacuated treated in Christchurch.
Sweeny said the US was “so very grateful” to the RNZAF, saying the operation “brought hope in the middle of the Antarctic night”.
“Their skill and readiness are truly world-class.
“Only the best crews can pull off something like this, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force proved, again, that they’re among the very best. This isn’t luck, it’s professionalism, planning, and a level of capability that few can match.”
Similar missions were successfully executed by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 2021 and 2024.
McMurdo Station was home to up to 1100 people a week during the summer months, and up to 200 a week during winter.
