Latest news with #MelissaSweeney
Hindustan Times
06-08-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Antarctica evacuation: Why 3 researchers at US base needed medical attention. First details out
A dramatic evacuation unfolded this week when the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) airlifted three researchers from the US-operated McMurdo Station in Antarctica, prompted by a medical emergency. The operation was conducted amid 24-hour darkness and temperatures as low as -24°C (-11°F), involved one individual requiring urgent medical care, and two others needing attention beyond the station's capabilities. Researchers were evacuated from a US-operated station in Antarctica(RNZAF) Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott, in a RNZAF press release, noted that the evacuation was 'one of the most challenging' missions the crew has performed. What happened on the Antarctica evacuation mission? 'The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state. 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,' he said. '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.' "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,' he added. The McMurdo Station, a key hub supporting around 200 winter staff, relies on international support for emergencies during the Antarctic winter, when isolation and harsh conditions limit medical resources. The RNZAF's 19.5-hour mission, executed with a C-130J Hercules equipped with a doctor, successfully transported the trio to Christchurch, New Zealand. US Chargé d'Affaires Melissa Sweeney praised the effort as 'flawless'. '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,' she said.
The Independent
06-08-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Inside the high-risk operation at an Antarctic research base
Three individuals were evacuated from the US McMurdo Station in Antarctica due to medical emergencies. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) conducted a high-risk, 20-hour operation in freezing temperatures and complete darkness. The challenging mission involved landing on an ice runway in -24 Celsius conditions, requiring exceptional skill from the aircrew. The evacuees were transported from the Antarctic base to Christchurch, New Zealand, on Wednesday morning. US Chargé d'Affaires Melissa Sweeney praised the RNZAF for the 'flawless' execution of the mission in one of Earth's most unforgiving environments.
NBC News
06-08-2025
- Climate
- NBC News
New Zealand evacuates three from U.S. Antarctic base in high risk winter rescue
SYDNEY — New Zealand's air force said on Wednesday it had evacuated three people from a United States research base in Antarctica, in what it said was a high-risk operation in freezing temperatures and perpetual darkness. One person requiring urgent medical care and two others needing medical attention were taken on the rescue flight from the McMurdo Station on Tuesday, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) said in a statement. The aircraft landed in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Wednesday morning. The statement gave no details of the medical emergency or nationalities. 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. '(It is) 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,' he said. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station fell as low as -24 Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, hampering the 20 hour mission that took place in the complete darkness of the Antarctic winter. The U.S. Chargé d'Affaires for New Zealand Melissa Sweeney said the evacuation had been carried out 'flawlessly'. '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,' she said.
The Independent
06-08-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Three evacuated after medical emergency at US Antarctic research base
Three people have been evacuated from a United States research base in Antarctica. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) carried out the high-risk operation in freezing temperatures and perpetual darkness on Tuesday. One person requiring urgent medical care and two others needing medical attention were taken on the rescue flight from the McMurdo Station to the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Wednesday morning, the RNZAF said in a statement. The statement gave no details of the medical emergency or nationalities. 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. "(It is) 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 make accurate forecasting a challenge," he said. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station fell as low as -24 Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, hampering the 20-hour mission that took place in the complete darkness of the Antarctic winter. The U.S. Chargé d'Affaires for New Zealand, Melissa Sweeney, said the evacuation had been carried out "flawlessly". "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," she said. RNZAF carried out similar rescues in 2021 and 2024.
TimesLIVE
06-08-2025
- Climate
- TimesLIVE
New Zealand evacuates three from US Antarctic base in high-risk winter rescue
New Zealand's air force said on Wednesday it had evacuated three people from a US research base in Antarctica in what it said was a high-risk operation in freezing temperatures and perpetual darkness. One person requiring urgent medical care and two others needing medical attention were taken on the rescue flight from the McMurdo Station on Tuesday, the Royal New Zealand air force said. The aircraft landed in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Wednesday morning. The statement gave no details of the medical emergency or nationalities. Andy Scott, a New Zealand air commodore, said the extreme cold and landing on a runway of ice in the dark make midwinter flights to Antarctica one of the most challenging aircrews can perform. "(It is) 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 make accurate forecasting a challenge,' he said. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station fell as low as -24°C on Tuesday, hampering the 20-hour mission that took place in the complete darkness of the Antarctic winter. The US chargé d'Affaires for New Zealand Melissa Sweeney said the evacuation was carried out 'flawlessly'. 'We are very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didn't hesitate to undertake the mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class,' she said. New Zealand's air force carried out similar rescues in 2021 and 2024.
