This was a bold New Zealand Air Force operation deep in the heart of the Southern Hemisphere winter. They managed to safely evacuate three staff members from McMurdo Station, a US research base situated in Antarctica. The air force immediately responded with one of its only C-130J Hercules aircraft. They moved out on the mission after receiving an urgent medical evacuation request from the United Nations Science Foundation. The deployment was largely driven by the overwhelming need for immediate medical attention of even one patient – leading to the rapid orchestration of care under extraordinary circumstances.
On Tuesday afternoon, that mighty Hercules craft lifted off from Christchurch. It even had a doctor aboard to help care for the 98 souls on the flight. The crew faced incredible challenges as they paddled through perpetual darkness and in brutal conditions. Temp at McMurdo Station was a bone-chilling -24ºC.
Thanks to meteorological aircrew’s tireless through the night flight crews to make this successful mission go. After what would turn out to be a 19.5 hour round-trip, the Hercules was back on the ground in Christchurch early Wednesday morning. Prior to departure, the U.S. team at McMurdo Station prepped a runway. As public outreach video shows, they made sure the ice was safe for them to land on, giving a small glimpse into the intricacies of this operation.
Mid-winter flights to Antarctica are some of the most difficult missions flown by the New Zealand Air Force. Air Commodore Andy Scott emphasized the difficulties inherent in these operations, stating, “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.”
Melissa Sweeney, the US chargé d’affaires in New Zealand, praised the New Zealand Air Force for their commitment. She rewarded their loyalty and effort with heartfelt gratitude. She remarked on the technical demands of the mission, stating, “This mission wasn’t just difficult; it was one of the most technically demanding operations an aircrew can face.” She further noted, “This required absolute precision … This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery.”
The successful completion of this high-risk operation highlights both the capabilities of the New Zealand Air Force and the collaborative efforts between nations in addressing emergencies in remote locations. In a statement on behalf of the embassy, the US embassy once again expressed its “deep appreciation” for the help given by New Zealand’s airforce.