New Zealand 's air force has evacuated three staff from an Antarctic research base in a highly difficult operation battling total darkness and severe weather. The United Nations Science Foundation employees were retrieved from McMurdo Station, a US research base, overnight on Tuesday in freezing -24C temperatures.
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New Zealand’s air force undertook a challenging mission to evacuate three personnel from an Antarctic research base, fighting through complete darkness and hostile weather. These staff members from the United Nations Science Foundation were extracted from McMurdo Station, an American research facility, on Tuesday night when temperatures plummeted to -24°C.

One person required urgent medical care and the other two needed medical attention, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) said in a statement. The C-130J Hercules aircraft landed safely in Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island, on Wednesday morning following a challenging overnight journey.

One individual needed urgent medical care while the other two also required medical attention, according to a statement by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The C-130J Hercules aircraft managed to land safely in Christchurch, located on New Zealand’s South Island, early Wednesday after a demanding overnight ordeal.

RNZAF did not provide specific details of the emergency but said the rescued employees were safe and receiving medical treatment in New Zealand. Andy Scott, a RNZAF Air Commodore, said extreme weather and darkness made winter flights to Antarctica among the hardest flights air force pilots can perform. 'The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state,' he said.

While the RNZAF didn’t disclose specific details about the medical emergency, they confirmed that the personnel were safe and receiving treatment in New Zealand. Andy Scott, an RNZAF Air Commodore, described winter flights to Antarctica as some of the most difficult due to extreme conditions. The crew can only proceed after thorough analysis of weather conditions and the state of the airfield, he explained.

'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'. Beyond a certain latitude, there are no airfields to divert to in case of an emergency making the flight path particularly dangerous.

Before departing, the United States Antarctic Program Winter Team must prepare the runway by grooming the ice to ensure it’s safe for landing. Despite deeming it secure, flying with night vision goggles remains incredibly difficult because of the unpredictable weather, which complicates accurate forecasting. Beyond a certain point, there are no alternative airfields for emergencies, adding to the flight’s risk.

The aircraft was flown to Christchurch from Auckland on Sunday afternoon, where the crew waited for optimal flying conditions. On Tuesday afternoon, the crew found an opening and decided to work throughout the night to complete the mission. Defense Force medical personnel including a medical officer were on board to deliver care to the patients mid-flight.

The crew had flown from Auckland to Christchurch on Sunday and waited for suitable conditions. On Tuesday, they found a favorable window and worked through the night to accomplish the mission. The Defense Force medical team, including a medical officer, was onboard to provide care during the flight.

Upon landing, the aircrafts engines were kept running to keep them warm during refueling - a technique known as 'hot refueling'. The total operation took about 19.5 hours. The US embassy expressed its 'deep appreciation' for the bravery of New Zealand's air force in a statement following the mission.

Upon arrival, the aircraft’s engines were kept running during refueling to keep them warm, a procedure known as ‘hot refueling.’ The entire operation spanned approximately 19.5 hours. Following the mission, the US embassy conveyed its ‘deep appreciation’ for the courage demonstrated by New Zealand’s air force.

'This mission wasn't just difficult; it was one of the most technically demanding operations an aircrew can face,' said Melissa Sweeney, the US chargé d'affaires in New Zealand. 'This required absolute precision… This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery.'

‘This mission wasn’t just difficult; it was one of the most technically demanding operations an aircrew can face,’ said Melissa Sweeney, the US chargé d’affaires in New Zealand. ‘This required absolute precision… This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery.’

RNZAF rescued an American patient from the same station in June last year, taking advantage of a brief window of calm overnight weather. It followed a similar rescue mission in 2021, the first time night vision goggles were used during an RNZAF Antarctic recovery operation.

RNZAF rescued an American patient from the same station in June last year, taking advantage of a brief window of calm overnight weather. It followed a similar rescue mission in 2021, the first time night vision goggles were used during an RNZAF Antarctic recovery operation.
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