Latest news with #NightVisionGoggles
American Military News
5 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.'
5 days ago
- Science
3 researchers medically evacuated from US station in Antarctica
Three researchers at the U.S. McMurdo Station in Antarctica have been evacuated in a "challenging," nearly 20-hour medical emergency rescue mission this week conducted by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, officials said on Wednesday. One of the researchers needed urgent medical care, and two others also needed medical attention, according to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). Their names were not released. The rescuers faced a daunting task, dealing with extreme cold, rapidly changing weather conditions and having to land a C-130J Hercules rescue plane, which weighs about 160,000 pounds, on the ice and in the dark, according to the RNZAF. "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," Andy Scott, the RNZAF's Air Component Commander Commodore, said in a statement. "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. The medical conditions of the three researchers, all members of the U.S. National Science Foundation, were not disclosed. They arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Wednesday, where they were being treated at a hospital, according to the RNZAF. The air force crew, which included a medical officer on board the flight, flew through the night on Tuesday to reach Antarctica, officials said. Once the aircraft landed safely, the crew kept the engines running while simultaneously refueling, a process known as "hot refueling," according to the RNZAF. The plane was on the ground long enough to quickly refuel, evacuate the three patients to the aircraft and take off back to New Zealand, officials said. The total operation took about 19.5 hours, officials 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," Scott said.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- 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.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
RNZAF Carries Out Mid-Winter Medical Evacuation From Antarctica
Crew on a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules have carried out a challenging mid-winter medical evacuation from McMurdo Station in Antarctica. The medical evacuation was requested by the United States' National Science Foundation because staff, based at the United States' McMurdo Station, were unable to receive the medical care they needed in Antarctica. One person required urgent medical care and two others needing medical attention were also taken on the flight. Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said the extreme cold, changeable weather conditions plus landing on the ice in the dark make mid-winter flights to Antarctica one of the most challenging RNZAF air crews perform. '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. '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. '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.' The aircraft flew to Antarctica with New Zealand Defence Force medical personnel including a medical officer (doctor) on board to care for the patients on the flight back to Christchurch. The aircraft had been pre-positioned from Auckland to Christchurch on Sunday afternoon, with the crew waiting for a window in the weather to complete the flight. On Tuesday afternoon, the crew made the decision to fly, working through the night to complete the mission. Once on the ice, the aircraft's engines are kept running to keep them warm while it is refueled, known as 'hot refuelling', before the aircraft returns to Christchurch. Including the short time on the ice, the medical evacuation took about 19.5 hours to complete. The aircraft landed back in Christchurch this morning.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Night vision goggles may have hindered helicopter pilots before DC jet collision that killed 67, experts say
Night vision goggles may have hindered the U.S. Army helicopter pilots in the moments before the deadly crash with a jet in Washington D.C., that claimed the lives of 67 people, experts have said. The technology, worn by the pilots, would have made it difficult to see the color of the lights on the passenger plane, which could have helped determine the direction in which it was traveling, as well as limiting peripheral vision. Friday saw the final day of public testimony to the National Transportation Safety Board over the fatal midair crash – which occurred almost exactly six months ago in February. Flight 5342 from Kansas was on the final approach to D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport when it collided with the Black Hawk helicopter before exploding. There were 67 people aboard the two flights when they crashed, and none survived. At Friday's hearing, experts said that, in addition to the possible hindrance caused by the use of night vision goggles, pilots also may not have been able to distinguish the aircraft from lights on the ground while the two aircraft were on a collision course. The helicopter pilots may not have known where to look for a plane that was landing on a secondary runway that most planes didn't use, experts said. 'Knowing where to look. That's key,' said Stephen Casner, an expert in human factors who used to work at NASA. Though it is still too early to identify what exactly caused the crash, with a final report from the board expected next year, a number of factors that may have contributed to the tragedy have been unearthed over the past two days of testimony. Major issues to emerge included the fact that the Black Hawk helicopter had been above prescribed levels near the airport as well as the warnings to FAA officials for years about the hazards related to the heavy chopper traffic there. Mary Schiavo, a former U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General, told The Associated Press that both the Army and the FAA appear to share significant blame for the deadly incident. The Black Hawks' altimeters could be off by as much as 100 feet and were still considered acceptable, she told the outlet. The crew was flying an outdated model that struggled to maintain altitude, while the helicopter pilots' flying was 'loose' and under 'loose' supervision. 'It's on the individuals, God rest their souls, but it's also on the military,' Schiavo said. 'I mean, they just seem to have no urgency of anything.' Questions were also raised during the hearings by the FAA's lack of alcohol testing for air traffic controllers after the crash. Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy urged the Federal Aviation Administration to 'do better" as she pointed to warnings the agency had ignored years earlier. The D.C. collision was the first in a string of crashes and near misses this year that have alarmed officials and the traveling public, despite statistics that still show flying remains the safest form of transportation.
