Latest news with #UnitedStatesAntarcticProgram
Fox News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Fox News
Three Americans evacuated from Antarctica after medical emergency at research station
New Zealand's air force carried out a nearly 20-hour medical evacuation to rescue three Americans from Antarctica, calling it a high-risk mission conducted in freezing temperatures and total darkness. The U.S. National Science Foundation requested the evacuation after three staff members at McMurdo Station were unable to receive adequate medical treatment on-site. One of the individuals required urgent care, while the other two also needed medical attention and were transported as a precaution, according to New Zealand's air force. Air Commodore Andy Scott, head of New Zealand's air component, said mid-winter flights to Antarctica are among the most difficult missions due to shifting weather, extreme cold and ice landings in total darkness. "The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state," Scott said. "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," he 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." A medical team, including a physician, accompanied the crew to provide in-flight care during the return to Christchurch. The aircraft was pre-positioned from Auckland to Christchurch on Sunday, with a crew on standby for a weather window. The crew made the decision on Tuesday to fly to Antarctica, working through the night to complete the mission. After landing on the ice runway, the aircraft's engines remained running to prevent freezing during refueling, the air force said. The round-trip mission lasted 19.5 hours, with the aircraft touching down in Christchurch on Wednesday morning. Temperatures at McMurdo Station dropped to -11°F during the operation, adding to the already dangerous conditions. Melissa Sweeney, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to New Zealand, praised the operation 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.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Hercules evacuates three people from Antarctica
Three people have been evacuated from a US station in Antarctica for medical care. The Royal New Zealand Air Force uplifted them from McMurdo Station overnight, with the crew of the C-130J Hercules in the air for about 15 hours. One person needed urgent medical care. Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said the extreme cold, changeable weather and landing on the ice in the 24-hour mid-winter darkness of Antarctica made flights challenging for crews. A crew could only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state, and the United States Antarctic Program winter team must physically create a runway before they can depart, 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," 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." Scott said the flight was completed and the patients are getting the medical treatment in Christchurch. While the pilots carried out the landing approach wearing night-vision goggles, they took them off for the landing, Scott said. "It was easier to see without the night-vision goggles on. They're not a magic pill that all of sudden makes everything easier", he said. The United States Embassy praised the Air Force crew for their efforts. "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," Chargé d'Affaires Melissa Sweeney said. The Air Force mission "brought hope in the middle of the Antarctic night", the embassy 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 said. The Air Force carried out similarly successful rescues in 2021 and last year. "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," Sweeney said. The plane flew to Antarctica with New Zealand Defence Force medical personnel including a doctor. The Defence Force said the aircraft arrived in Christchurch from Auckland on Sunday afternoon, with the crew waiting for a weather window to fly south. On Tuesday afternoon the crew made the decision to fly, working through the night to complete the mission. The aircraft's engines were kept running on the ice while it was refuelled, known as hot refuelling, the Defence Force said.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Trio evacuated from Antarctica
Three people have been evacuated from a US station in Antarctica for medical care. The Royal New Zealand Air Force uplifted them from McMurdo Station overnight, with the crew of the C-130J Hercules in the air for about 15 hours. One person needed urgent medical care. Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said the extreme cold, changeable weather and landing on the ice in the 24-hour mid-winter darkness of Antarctica made flights challenging for crews. A crew could only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state, and the United States Antarctic Program winter team must physically create a runway before they can depart, 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," 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." Scott said the flight was completed and the patients are getting the medical treatment in Christchurch. While the pilots carried out the landing approach wearing night-vision goggles, they took them off for the landing, Scott said. "It was easier to see without the night-vision goggles on. They're not a magic pill that all of sudden makes everything easier", he said. The United States Embassy praised the Air Force crew for their efforts. "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," Chargé d'Affaires Melissa Sweeney said. The Air Force mission "brought hope in the middle of the Antarctic night", the embassy 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 said. The Air Force carried out similarly successful rescues in 2021 and last year. "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," Sweeney said. The plane flew to Antarctica with New Zealand Defence Force medical personnel including a doctor. The Defence Force said the aircraft arrived in Christchurch from Auckland on Sunday afternoon, with the crew waiting for a weather window to fly south. On Tuesday afternoon the crew made the decision to fly, working through the night to complete the mission. The aircraft's engines were kept running on the ice while it was refuelled, known as hot refuelling, the Defence Force said.
