RNZAF Rescue Flight to Antarctica Update

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C130 Hercules aircraft that undertook a successful 16 hour medical evacuation flight as been praised by Antarctic staff.

The flight left Christchurch airport on Monday 21 September after a 51- year- old American man required immediate evacuation to New Zealand after suffering cardiac problems. He had been working as part of the United States Antarctic Programme (USAP) and is now undergoing further medical tests and recovering in Christchurch hospital.

"The medevac from this end was a tremendous success. It doesn't matter how long you work in the Antarctic business, when we have a medical situation it is truly amazing how quickly we can evacuate a patient. For the average person they only see the aircraft transporting the patient but the inter-programme coordination that led up to this mission was the secret to success" said Mr Kerry Chuck from Raytheon Polar Services. Raytheon provide services to the USAP.

The RNZAF has significant experience flying into Antarctica. They are about to begin their support to the New Zealand Antarctic Programme for the summer season with the first flights to the ice planned for next month. This medivac flight proved how rapidly the RNZAF could respond to such an emergency.

"To get the call on a Saturday night, have an aircraft and crew in Christchurch on Sunday ready for a Monday launch is impressive. Considering the heavy workload for No 40 Squadron, RNZAF, we were extremely fortunate to have an ice qualified crew available. We use the word 'lucky' when we do out-of-season operations because of weather restrictions, availability of resources and the geographical separation of the many organisations that are involved with emergent missions.

A bit of luck maybe; but the experience and knowledge within each organisation and the ability to 'flick the switch' could not have been more evident than this particular evacuation" said Mr Chuck.

ENDS

For general information please contact Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki, Defence Communications Group on 04 496 0294 or 021 420 899

The New Zealand Defence Force's Role in Antarctica
Each year Antarctica New Zealand requests New Zealand Defence Force support for the forthcoming Antarctic summer season. The NZDF also provides support to the United States Antarctic Programme. Jobs include search and rescue support, air transport, Terminal Operations at Harewood (Christchurch Int. Airport) and McMurdo, ship offload operations and Scott Base support personnel. The summer season extends from October to February each year.

Each year No. 40 Squadron RNZAF undertakes approximately six C130 Hercules flights during the summer season. The Squadron forms the Fixed Wing Transport Force of the New Zealand Defence Force Elements and provides:

strategic air transport
tactical air transport
support to the government
support to the NZ Antarctic Programme
disaster relief and humanitarian operations,
Aero medical evacuation,
civil defence support in NZ and the South Pacific and
VIP air transport