Very impressive!
To date, the NSF apparently failed to put out a news release on this amazing rescue operation! I found only a news release from 2021 (see below)
"Three [American scientists from the National Science Foundation] were evacuated from McMurdo Station, a remote U.S. military-supported research base in Antarctica, in a daring 20-hour medical rescue mission led by New Zealand’s Air Force.
One patient required urgent care, and two others needed treatment that the station couldn’t provide. The U.S. requested help from New Zealand.
Faced with 24-hour darkness, sub-zero temperatures, and no backup landing options, a C-130J Hercules military transport aircraft flew round-trip from New Zealand, with a doctor on board.
The aircraft landed on a hand-groomed ice runway using night vision goggles and refueled on the ice without shutting off its engines. All three patients are now receiving care in Christchurch, the nearest major medical hub."
"... 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. ..."
RNZAF carries out mid-winter medical evacuation from Antarctica (original news release) "Crew on a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules have carried out a challenging mid-winter medical evacuation from McMurdo Station in Antarctica."
Update: McMurdo station medical evacuation (dated 7/12/2021) Apparently, such medical emergency rescue operations happened before.
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