By Canadian Press

Daring rescue in the dark: A chronology of South Pole mission

Jul 6, 2016 | 3:25 PM

CALGARY — A Calgary-based flight crew from Kenn Borek Air last month successfully flew out two sick workers from a South Pole research station. Here’s a look back at the medical mission:

June 9: The National Science Foundation has a medical emergency and asks Kenn Borek Air if it is possible to do an evacuation in the middle of the Antarctic winter.

June 10-13: Kenn Borek does risk assessment and decides it is possible to undertake the mission.

June 14: Two Twin Otter aircraft are prepared and depart Calgary. They stop in Denver, Colo., to pick up mission equipment from the National Science Foundation and end the day in McAllen, Texas.

June 15: Planes land in Liberia, Costa Rica.

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June 16: Flights make it to Chile.

June 17: Rescue crews arrive in Puntas Arenas, the most southerly tip of Chile.

June 20: Rescue plane arrives at the British Antarctic Survey camp at Rothera after being delayed by weather in Puntas Arenas.

June 21: Plane leaves camp at Rothera.

June 22: Rescue plane arrives at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

June 23: After pilot rests and with favourable weather conditions, the flight, including two patients, is able to return to Rothera. A second Kenn Borek support plane that remained at the survey camp transports the evacuees to hospital in Puntas Arenas.

June 30: Both aircraft arrive back in Calgary.

The Canadian Press