Three ski equipped United States Hercules are due to fly into Christchurch Airport today as preparations are made to mount a hazardous South Pole mercy dash.
The Hercules may be used to fly a sick doctor from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and fly in another doctor to replace him.
About 35
additional aircrew and maintenance staff are also flying to Christchurch on commercial aircraft as US National Science Foundation officials weigh up the options for helping Dr Ronald S Shemenski.
The station physician wintering over at the South Pole Station, Dr Shemenski, 59, is suffering from pancreatitis after recently passing a gall stone, according to the National Science Foundtion.
"Although he appears to be recovering and is undergoing a prophylactic course of antibiotic treatment, a relapse cannot be ruled out," says the NSF.
The NSF has made a formal request to the USAF to plan a possible medical evacuation mission if that option is eventually chosen.
"Temperatures at this stage of the austral winter are near the point at which aircraft cannot operate safely. The combination of cold and darkness make air operations extremely dangerous," said a NSF spokesman.
The 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard flies the world's only fleet of ski equipped C130 Hercules transport aircraft and will perform a military evacuation.
After the aircraft and back up teams arrive at Christchurch they will await further instructions.
Options other than a medical evaucation flight also being considered are continuing the treatment available at the station or air dropping additional supplies.
If an air operation goes ahead it will be the second time in 18 months that the 109th Airlift wing has gone to the aid of a South Pole based US doctor.
In late 1999 Dr Jerri Nielsen, was evacuated after being diagnosed with a breast tumour.
- CHRISTCHURCH STAR
