CONTACT: Lt.Col. Kim Terpening; 518-344-2103

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008

SCOTIA, NY (11/06/2008)-- A New York Air National Guard LC-130 based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, successfully evacuated an Australian Antarctic researcher who suffered multiple fractures during a rescue mission conducted Nov. 3 to 5. A joint American-Australian medical team flew into Davis Station, Antarctica, where the Australian Antarctic Division is conducting research, on board the Hercules, which is operated by the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing. The team remained overnight and then flew the patient out on Nov. 4. The aircraft arrived at Hobart Australia on Nov. 5 after a ten-hour flight. The patient suffered multiple fractures in an all-terrain vehicle accident. He is currently in stable condition in a hospital in Hobart. Dr. Tony Press, director of the Australian Antarctic Division, said he was grateful for the support the United States provided. "It's a tribute to our excellent relationship with the U.S. Antarctic Program and a fantastic example of the collaboration that typifies Antarctic operations," Press said. The medical team flew 1,500 miles from McMurdo Station, Antarctica to Davis Station where the ski-equipped aircraft landed on an improvised runway prepared by Davis Station personnel earlier in the week. The medical team, along with aircrew members and an aircraft maintenance team from the 109th, spent the night at Davis Station in order to rest, refuel the aircraft. The medical team consisted of an Australian doctor and nurse; a joint medical attendant transport team composed of three Army medical personnel from Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; and three Air Force medical personnel forward-deployed to McMurdo. The mission was flown as part of Operation Deep Freeze, which is commanded by U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica. Headquartered at Hickam AFB and led by 13th Air Force, JTF SFA's mission is to provide air- and sealift support to the National Science Foundation and U.S. Antarctic Program. The movement was the first major mission for the LC-130 in the current Operation Deep Freeze season. The New York unit is the only unit in the Air Force that operates the aircraft, which can land on snow or ice surfaces throughout Antarctica thanks to its ski-equipped landing gear. The plane also has wheels for landing on prepared hard surfaces. Capt. Greg Richert, the onboard Air Force flight surgeon, said the successful medical movement symbolized two things for him. "One is the very effective medical movement capability we have here in the Pacific region, and the other is the strong partnership between the National Science Foundation, the Australian Antarctic Division and Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica," Captain Richert said. The captain, who is forward-deployed from 13th Air Force to McMurdo Station as the JTF SFA flight surgeon, said it was especially gratifying to use the team's medical movement capability to help the Australians in Antarctica. "The United States and Australia have long enjoyed a strong bond, and it was really evident in how our combined team was able to help this patient in his time of need," Richert said. Photo Cutline: An LC-130 belonging to the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift wing sits on an improvised ice runway at Davis Station, Antarctica, on Nov. 3. A U.S. and Australian medical team moved an injured Australian civilian aboard the aircraft from the camp to a hospital in Hobart, Australia, Nov. 5. The mission was flown as part of Operation Deep Freeze, commanded by U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica at Hickam Air Force, Hawaii. The 109th Airlift Wing, which operates the only ski-equipped aircraft in the U.S. military are an integral part of the mission. (Official US Air Force Photo)

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