Three evacuated from McMurdo Station in daring medical mission through sub-zero temperatures and Antarctic darkness.

New Zealand’s Air Force has successfully evacuated three individuals from the United States’ McMurdo Station in Antarctica in a daring high-risk operation carried out under extreme weather conditions and total darkness.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) confirmed on Wednesday that the mission took place on Tuesday, involving a specialized C-130 Hercules aircraft. The flight was launched in response to an urgent medical emergency at the U.S. research base, one of the most remote and inhospitable locations on Earth.

“One individual required urgent medical care, while two others also needed medical attention,” the RNZAF said in a statement. “All three were successfully evacuated and transported to New Zealand for treatment.”

Due to the Antarctic winter, the rescue was carried out in complete darkness and freezing temperatures, with crew members operating in hazardous conditions and limited visibility. Flights to the continent are rare during this season, often requiring months of planning but in this case, speed was critical.

RNZAF air crews were aided by the United States Antarctic Program and medical staff at McMurdo Station to stabilize the patients before departure.

McMurdo Station is the largest research facility in Antarctica, home to scientists and support staff conducting year-round research in extreme conditions. Emergency evacuations from the base during the Antarctic winter are extremely rare and logistically complex due to limited flight windows and harsh environmental challenges.

This successful mission follows a legacy of close cooperation between the U.S. and New Zealand in Antarctic operations.