RNZAF makes night rescue to Antarctica
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RNZAF makes night rescue to Antarctica
New Zealand Air Force make medical evacuation flight from Antarctica in dark, land on ice runway
ByBenjamin Plummer
27 Jun, 2024 07:33 PM3 mins to read“Apart from flying in a combat environment, night-flying missions to Antarctica in the middle of winter present the most challenging and dangerous of conditions,” Scott said.
The RNZAF C-130H Hercules crew wore night-vision goggles as they landed on an ice runway at Phoenix Airfield this morning. Photo / McMurdo Station staffScott said the crew deployed early this morning with a narrow gap of acceptable weather.“The weather had deteriorated again on arrival and so they have threaded the needle to get in when they did.”
The aircraft was “hot fuelled” on the ice after it landed, where the engines are kept running to protect them in extreme cold. The temperature in Antarctica was -33C at the time, with a wind chill bringing temperatures down to -40C.
Scott said at each stage of the journey the crew had to make “go, no go” decisions on whether to proceed.
“Our highly trained crew analyse the conditions every step of the way to ensure they can continue. Last night the weather conditions looked suitable, which enabled them to proceed in the early hours of this morning.”
The patient is in a stable condition with a non-life threatening condition. Photo / McMurdo Station staff
The temperature in Antarctica was -33C at the time, with a wind chill bringing temperatures down to -40C. Photo / McMurdo Station staffMcMurdo Station staff had prepared the ice runway at Phoenix Airfield by clearing snow and compacting it on Wednesday.With no airfields to divert to en route, the aircraft needed to be refuelled in Antarctica before making the journey home.
“The pilots have a point of no safe return when they make the decision to continue or turn around, known as a ‘boomerang’,” Scott said.
The crew left Antarctica shortly after 10am for the seven-to-eight-hour return flight to Christchurch. The patient is in a stable condition with a non-life-threatening condition.
“We’re very pleased we have been able to successfully carry out this Antarctica flight today and get the patient to New Zealand to receive further medical treatment,’ Scott said.
Ambassador of the United States to New Zealand Tom Udall took to social media thanking the Hercules crew for their efforts.
“Our longstanding, bilateral co-operation in Antarctica, and to and from the ice, is always deeply valued – but especially meaningful today. Thank you for your service.”
Defence Minister Judith Collins also praised the efforts of the crew.
“This is one of the most dangerous operations and they did it with back-up available from our Australian ally [that was not called upon],” Collins wrote on X.
Bloody Marvellous!
Wiki - Phoenix Airfield was opened in early 2017.
C17s were planned to use the runway throughout the 2017–18 field season, but NSF issued a notice on July 31, 2017 stating that "Conditions at the new Phoenix compacted-snow runway prevent the use of wheeled aircraft during the warm part of the austral summer."
C17s were planned to use the runway throughout the 2017–18 field season, but NSF issued a notice on July 31, 2017 stating that "Conditions at the new Phoenix compacted-snow runway prevent the use of wheeled aircraft during the warm part of the austral summer."
Last edited by Deep Throat; 27th Jun 2024 at 11:13.
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…or let strange huskies onboard.
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Well done those Kiwigian pilots and crew. That has to be the ultimate in difficulties, wx , temperature and time.
Credit also to the refuellers in those sub zero conditions. And all others involved. One for the story books.
Credit also to the refuellers in those sub zero conditions. And all others involved. One for the story books.
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Reminds me of a story where another Herc (USAF I think) had a gear problem on departure from an Antarctic base headed for NZ.
Couldn’t return I seem to recall so it became a major crisis management exercise to ensure a positive outcome. Was a most interesting read, I wish I could find it again.
Couldn’t return I seem to recall so it became a major crisis management exercise to ensure a positive outcome. Was a most interesting read, I wish I could find it again.
Reminds me of a story where another Herc (USAF I think) had a gear problem on departure from an Antarctic base headed for NZ
Link to Story
Vague memories of a Herc returning from the ice losing all its nav gear and sucess was brought about by the nav taking sextant shots and use of the mag compass. Forget nationality, US, NZ or Oz.
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Point of Safe Return - although it was referred to as a Point of No Safe Return by the spokesman that might have been media speak for the masses. A lot can happen in the 2-3 hours from their PSR (& PSR forecast) to touchdown.
only dangerous because of the asset used.
That said, crew did a great job. It would not have been a fun trip south in that machine with that forecast.
Defence Minister Judith Collins also praised the efforts of the crew.
“This is one of the most dangerous operations…
“This is one of the most dangerous operations…
That said, crew did a great job. It would not have been a fun trip south in that machine with that forecast.
Last edited by compressor stall; 30th Jun 2024 at 03:04.
Wilford Brimely (RIP) also was aware - IRL! https://comicbook.com/horror/news/an...lford-brimley/
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Your new age comment though isn’t that far from the mark. Some years ago in turboprop days in Oz I did have a public servant overseeing a contract, with some aviation background, request that we changed the term to PSR from PNR as it sounded safer. 🤨
Last edited by compressor stall; 30th Jun 2024 at 21:26.
