The New Zealand air force conducted a medical evacuation of three individuals from the US research base McMurdo Station in Antarctica. The operation was complicated by extreme weather, temperatures reaching -24C, and constant darkness. The C-130J Hercules flew a 19.5-hour round trip, with a doctor onboard to attend to urgent medical needs. Air commodore Andy Scott described such mid-winter flights as highly challenging due to changing weather conditions. Aircraft must land on ice with no nearby airfields available for emergency diversions, increasing mission risks significantly.
The New Zealand air force evacuated three people from a US research base in Antarctica during extreme weather and constant darkness, requiring a high-risk operation.
Mid-winter flights to Antarctica are among the most challenging operations, with aircraft having to navigate through dangerous storms and using night vision goggles due to the darkness.
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