Overview

• The U.S. National Science Foundation activated the medevac after three McMurdo Station personnel faced medical emergencies, including one critical case.
• United States Antarctic Program winter crews prepared and groomed an ice runway to support a safe C-130J Hercules landing.
• The RNZAF flight team performed hot refuelling on the ice and navigated perpetual darkness using night-vision goggles in −24 °C temperatures.
• The 19.5-hour round-trip mission concluded with the aircraft touching down in Christchurch, where the evacuees are receiving care.
• U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Melissa Sweeney hailed the operation as flawless, reflecting RNZAF’s growing expertise from similar 2021 and 2024 Antarctic rescues.