June 27th, 2024

Hercules completes rare midwinter flight to Antarctica to retrieve US patient

An Air Force Hercules crew conducted a challenging midwinter medical evacuation in Antarctica, retrieving a US patient from McMurdo Station due to a non-life threatening condition. The operation demonstrated strong US-New Zealand cooperation.

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Hercules completes rare midwinter flight to Antarctica to retrieve US patient

An Air Force Hercules crew successfully completed a rare midwinter medical evacuation in Antarctica to retrieve a US patient from McMurdo Station. The patient had a non-life threatening condition requiring treatment unavailable in Antarctica. The flight was perilous due to extreme conditions like -33 degrees Celsius temperatures and no daylight, necessitating the use of night vision goggles. The crew refueled in Antarctica before returning to Christchurch, facing challenging weather conditions. The US ambassador to New Zealand praised the Royal New Zealand Air Force for their exceptional rescue operation, highlighting the extraordinary flying skills displayed during the mission. This operation showcased the strong bilateral cooperation between the US and New Zealand in Antarctica. The mission lasted over seven hours, emphasizing the dedication and skill of the aircrew involved in this challenging evacuation.

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