The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) successfully evacuated a patient from Antarctica on April 24, 2026, according to a Facebook post by the RNZAF. The patient, a New Zealander working with the US Antarctic Program, was transported via a C-130J Hercules aircraft from No. 40 Squadron.
The evacuation was conducted from McMurdo Station, the US research base on Ross Island. The RNZAF stated that the mission was completed without incident, and the patient was flown to Christchurch, New Zealand, for medical care.
This operation highlights the ongoing collaboration between New Zealand and the United States in Antarctic logistics and emergency response. The C-130J Hercules is a versatile aircraft capable of operating in extreme cold conditions, making it ideal for such missions.
