A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules completed a medical evacuation from Antarctica on Thursday, bringing a patient from McMurdo Station safely to Christchurch. The flight happened as Antarctica saw its final sunset before months of winter darkness. The patient needed a higher level of medical care in New Zealand.
No. 40 Squadron received the request for help on Wednesday afternoon. The aircraft left Christchurch just before 5am the next day and landed on the Ross Ice Shelf near midday, around the time of the season’s last sunrise. It left Antarctica in twilight after the final sunset and arrived back in New Zealand at about 9pm.
Air Commodore Andy Scott said the crew had to make the journey during a very small window of good weather. He said flying to Antarctica at this time of year is difficult because daylight is disappearing and weather can change quickly. Co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Aaron Kurte said the views were stunning, but the low light made it hard to tell where the ground ended and the horizon began.
The team also had to refuel the aircraft while its engines were still running to keep it warm in temperatures of about -33°C. Air loadmaster Sergeant Emma Porritt said the patient was loaded smoothly and made comfortable on a stretcher for the flight home. Squadron Leader Adam Palmer said the timing was perfect because the crew could still fly in some light. Scott Base and McMurdo Station are expected to see proper sunlight again on 19 August.
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