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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Maps of Antarctica evacuation show pilots' daring rescue in frozen darkness
They had to contend with fast-changing Antarctic weather, navigate past a point of no return, and wore night-vision goggles in order to land and take off for the return trip. The researchers are now receiving medical treatment in Christchurch. Here's a closer look at how this extraordinary flight unfolded: Can't see our graphics? Click here to reload the page. An unidentified researcher at McMurdo required urgent medical care that wasn't available at the station. McMurdo officials asked the New Zealand air force for flight transport to a Christchurch hospital. Andy Scott, a New Zealand Air Commodore, said the extreme cold and landing on a runway of ice in the dark make mid-winter flights to Antarctica one of the most challenging air crews can perform, Reuters reported. Extensive analysis of changing weather and landing zone status is conducted before flights are attempted. There's also something known as the point of no return, a point in the flight path at which an aircraft can't safely return to its departure airfield, or divert to other airfields. The C-130J was prepared in Christchurch on the afternoon of Aug. 3, but did not take off until Aug. 5. A doctor was on board to aid the evacuees. Maintenance teams at McMurdo prepared a stretch of ice as a runway. The plane landed at McMurdo shortly after noon. One doctor and other medical personnel were on board to care for the patients throughout the flight, New Zealand officials said. As the evacuees boarded, crews conducted a "hot refuel" of the aircraft, keeping its engines running to prevent freezing as fuel was added. Temperatures at the research station dropped to -11 degrees Fahrenheit on Aug. 5, Reuters reported. The aircraft landed in Christchurch on the morning of Aug. 6. The entire flight took about 19.5 hours, officials said. What is McMurdo Station? The U.S. National Science Foundation runs McMurdo Station, located on the edge of the Ross Sea. It's a research facility, the largest on the Antarctic continent, and is the central logistical hub for the U.S. Antarctic Program. It opened in 1956 and is named for Lt. Archibald McMurdo, a Scottish naval officer and polar explorer. It's about 840 miles from the South Pole. About 1,100 staffers are at the station in the summer months. In winter, the population drops to about 200. Research at the station includes: ?Aeronomy and astrophysics. ?Biology and ecosystems. ?Geology, geophysics, glaciology and geomorphology. ?Ocean and climate systems. ?Ice core studies. Why is McMurdo Station dark in winter? The Antarctic continent is dark for half the year because of a phenomenon known as polar night, when the sun drops below the horizon for 24 hours a day. The change happens because the Earth is tilted at about 23.5 degrees relative to the sun. The South Pole is tilted away from the sun from March to September, the time of winter in the Southern Hemisphere. How are the American researchers doing? At present, we don't know their identities or much about them, other than they were being treated in Christchurch. One had an unspecified serious condition that required urgent medical care, according to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The other two, who needed non-emergency care, were taken on the flight. The Royal New Zealand Air Force carried out similar rescues in 2021 and 2024, according to Reuters. Read more: US researchers flown in high-risk winter Antarctica evacuation operation CONTRIBUTING Anthony Robledo, Shawn J Sullivan SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters; Royal New Zealand Air Force; National Science Foundation; United States Antarctic Program; AccuWeather
American Military News
6 days ago
- Climate
- American Military News
3 Americans evacuated in Antarctica by New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force conducted a roughly 20-hour medical evacuation in 'extreme conditions' for three Americans at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica on Tuesday. In a Wednesday press release, the Royal New Zealand Air Force confirmed that the medical evacuation operation was requested by the U.S. National Science Foundation after three staff members located at the McMurdo Station were not able to receive the medical treatment they required in Antarctica. The press release noted that one of the staff members needed 'urgent medical care.' Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott explained that the mid-winter evacuation flight to Antarctica is one of the most challenging operations the Royal New Zealand Air Force crews perform due to Antarctica's cold temperatures, changing weather conditions, and ice landings in the dark. 'The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state,' Scott stated. 'The United States Antarctic Program Winter Team must physically create the runway before we can depart by ensuring the ice is groomed and 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 added. '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.' READ MORE: Video: Coast Guard evacuates elderly man who had 'multiple strokes' 300 miles from shore According to Wednesday's press release, the evacuation team included New Zealand Defence Force medical personnel and a doctor to provide care for the three American patients on the return flight to Christchurch. The press release noted that the New Zealand crew departed on Tuesday afternoon and continued the operation throughout the night. The full evacuation took roughly 19.5 hours. Fox News reported that in addition to the other challenges faced by the evacuation team, the temperature at McMurdo Station fell to -11 degrees Fahrenheit during the evacuation operation. 'This mission wasn't just difficult; it was one of the most technically demanding operations an aircrew can face. In extreme conditions, with little margin for error, the RNZAF executed this mid-winter Antarctic medevac flawlessly,' Melissa Sweeney, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to New Zealand, said. 'We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didn't hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class,' Sweeney added. 'Only the best crews can pull off something like this and the RNZAF proved, again, that they're among the very best. This isn't luck, its professionalism, planning, and a level of capability that few can match.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Antarctica evacuation: US researchers flown in high-risk winter night operation
Three staff members from a United States research base in Antarctica were medically evacuated to New Zealand during extreme cold and dark conditions amid the southern winter, New Zealand's air force said Wednesday, Aug. 6. The U.S. National Science Foundation requested an emergency evacuation for three people unable to receive necessary care on the continent, including one who required urgent treatment, according to the New Zealand Defense Force. Despite high-risk travel conditions, the flight landed successfully and all three received treatment. "With the support of Antarctica New Zealand and United States' National Science Foundation staff in Antarctica, we have been able to complete the flight and the patients are now getting the medical treatment they need in Christchurch," Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said in the Aug. 6 news release Following detailed analysis of weather conditions and the airfield, the Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft flew from the McMurdo Station on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 5, and landed in Christchurch, New Zealand, the next morning. One doctor and other medical personnel with the New Zealand Defence Force were onboard to care for the patients throughout the flight, the agency said. The military group did not provide any details about why each staff member required medical treatment. Why was the trip so dangerous? The military group stated that mid-winter flights in Antarctica are among the most challenging trips due to extreme cold, variable weather conditions, and the difficulty of landing an aircraft on the ice during the dark hours. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station were as low as -24 Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) on Aug. 6, Reuters reported. The crew used night vision goggles to navigate the essentially pitch-black trip, and the U.S. Antarctic Program Winter Team physically created a runway ahead of takeoff to ensure the aircraft could safely land, according to Scott. "Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in," 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." The trip took nearly 20 hours, including a brief stint on the ice to refuel while the aircraft engines continued to run in a process known as "hot refueling," the New Zealand Defense Force said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US researchers evacuated from Antarctica in risky winter night flight Solve the daily Crossword
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
US researchers evacuated from Antarctica in risky winter night flight
"With the support of Antarctica New Zealand and United States' National Science Foundation staff in Antarctica, we have been able to complete the flight and the patients are now getting the medical treatment they need in Christchurch," Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said in the Aug. 6 news release Following detailed analysis of weather conditions and the airfield, the Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft flew from the McMurdo Station on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 5, and landed in Christchurch, New Zealand, the next morning. One doctor and other medical personnel with the New Zealand Defence Force were onboard to care for the patients throughout the flight, the agency said. The military group did not provide any details about why each staff member required medical treatment. Why was the trip so dangerous? The military group stated that mid-winter flights in Antarctica are among the most challenging trips due to extreme cold, variable weather conditions, and the difficulty of landing an aircraft on the ice during the dark hours. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station were as low as -24 Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) on Aug. 6, Reuters reported. The crew used night vision goggles to navigate the essentially pitch-black trip, and the U.S. Antarctic Program Winter Team physically created a runway ahead of takeoff to ensure the aircraft could safely land, according to Scott. "Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in," 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." The trip took nearly 20 hours, including a brief stint on the ice to refuel while the aircraft engines continued to run in a process known as "hot refueling," the New Zealand Defense Force said.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Science
- USA Today
Antarctica evacuation: US researchers flown in high-risk winter night operation
Three staff members from a United States research base in Antarctica were medically evacuated to New Zealand during extreme cold and dark conditions amid the southern winter, New Zealand's air force said Wednesday, Aug. 6. The U.S. National Science Foundation requested an emergency evacuation for three people unable to receive necessary care on the continent, including one who required urgent treatment, according to the New Zealand Defense Force. Despite high-risk travel conditions, the flight landed successfully and all three received treatment. "With the support of Antarctica New Zealand and United States' National Science Foundation staff in Antarctica, we have been able to complete the flight and the patients are now getting the medical treatment they need in Christchurch," Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said in the Aug. 6 news release Following detailed analysis of weather conditions and the airfield, the Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft flew from the McMurdo Station on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 5, and landed in Christchurch, New Zealand, the next morning. One doctor and other medical personnel with the New Zealand Defence Force were onboard to care for the patients throughout the flight, the agency said. The military group did not provide any details about why each staff member required medical treatment. Why was the trip so dangerous? The military group stated that mid-winter flights in Antarctica are among the most challenging trips due to extreme cold, variable weather conditions, and the difficulty of landing an aircraft on the ice during the dark hours. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station were as low as -24 Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) on Aug. 6, Reuters reported. The crew used night vision goggles to navigate the essentially pitch-black trip, and the U.S. Antarctic Program Winter Team physically created a runway ahead of takeoff to ensure the aircraft could safely land, according to Scott. "Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in," 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." The trip took nearly 20 hours, including a brief stint on the ice to refuel while the aircraft engines continued to run in a process known as "hot refueling," the New Zealand Defense Force said.
