Archive · 7 Aug 2025
RNZAF Rescues US Staff from Antarctic Station in 19-Hour Mission
A team from New Zealand flew a long mission to rescue three people from a research base in Antarctica.
The crew had to land on a special ice runway in the dark because it's winter there, and the sun doesn't come up.
One person needed immediate medical help.
The flight was very challenging due to the extreme cold and unpredictable weather.
The rescuers used special equipment to see in the dark and had to plan carefully because there were no other places to land.
The people who were rescued are now getting medical care in New Zealand.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) crew completed a 19-hour mission to evacuate three staff members from McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
One patient required urgent medical care; authorities did not disclose the medical details.
The mission involved landing on an ice runway in complete darkness, using night-vision goggles.
The US Antarctic Program winter team prepared the ice runway for landing.
The evacuated personnel are now receiving medical treatment in Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Who
- A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) crew and three staff members from McMurdo Station.
- What
- A 19-hour mission to evacuate three staff members from the US McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
- When
- Departed Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, by early Wednesday.
- Where
- McMurdo Station in Antarctica and Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Why
- To evacuate staff members, one of whom required urgent medical care, from Antarctica.
- Mission Length
- 19 hours
- Location
- McMurdo Station, Antarctica
- Evacuees
- Three staff members
- Medical Condition
- One critical
- Aircraft Used
- RNZAF
- Destination
- Christchurch, New Zealand