Sydney, Australia - Australia's Antarctic Division (AAD) has flown an Airbus A319 to Antarctica to rescue an expeditioner from the McMurdo base of the United States.
The weather was -30 degrees Celsius there when the aircraft arrived at the US base. At this time of the year, most countries, which have bases in the continent, have already shut down operations due to the severe winter season conditions.
On March 13, the AAD received a request from the US Antarctic Program for an "emergency medical evacuation of an expeditioner from a United States base in Antarctica.
An AAD medical team, supported by aeromedical and retrieval specialists from the Royal Hobart Hospital and Ambulance Tasmania was dispatched in Australia's Antarctic Airbus A319 to McMurdo station in East Antarctica, a distance of about 3,900 kilometers.
The conditions on the ground were challenging, when the Airbus landed at McMurdo station it was around -30 with the wind chill,"
AAD general manager of Antarctic operations and safety Charlton Clark said.
The expeditioner was picked up from McMurdo and flown to Christchurch in New Zealand.
We are really pleased to be able to assist the United States Antarctic Program as a first-responder in this emergency and it's a real testament to the great spirit of cooperation between Antarctic nations,
Clark said.
It is unclear why the expeditioner needed specialist attention.
The US National Science Foundation's head of Antarctic infrastructure and logistics, Stephanie Short, said she was "very grateful for the rapid response from the AAD, flight crew and medical team".
It's great to have the support of national partners and know that we all share a deep dedication to Antarctic research programs and personnel,