On 9 April 1961, a C-130BL aircraft, piloted by CDR Lloyd E. Newcomer, USN, landed at Byrd Station. This flight, the latest to be carried out by DEEP FREEZE aircraft, ended a journey which had begun in Davisville, Rhode Island, eight days earlier. Two C-130s and the icebreaker STATEN ISLAND were deployed in the successful effort to evacuate the Soviet exchange scientist, Leonid Kuperov, who had been scheduled to spend the winter making ionospheric studies at the isolated outpost.

Mr. Kuperov was first admitted to the routine sick list by LT Donald R. Walk, UC, USN, Officer in Charge and Medical Officer of Byrd Station, on 19 March. The patient complained of nausea, vomiting, and an intense pain in his abdomen. After tests for appendicitis proved negative, and with no background as to the patient's medical history, Dr. Walk made a first diagnosis that Kuperov had an upset stomach. The doctor realized, however, that such an obviously acute abdominal condition could, perhaps, be caused by many things -among these, gallstones, ulcers, and inflamed spleen or pancreas, an obstructed bowel, or similar ailments.

By 22 March, after a period of rest and medical care, Mr. Kuperov appeared to be recovering satisfactorily. The following day he exhibited remarkable objective improvement, so much so that Dr. Walk found the incident "the most amazing thing in my medical career."

Mr. Kuperov stated that he had remembered a cure of an old Russian doctor, which entailed wrapping an ordinary neck scarf tightly around the waist. Using this "cure", he had gone from a temperature of 101.8 at 0700 to an apparent objective recovery in three hours. After this "recovery", the patient refused to discuss his case further, and was removed from the sick list the evening of the same day.

Four days later, Mr. Kuperov would not get out of bed and would not eat. He had awakened with a "hurt" during the night, but had relieved this condition with food or water and then self-induced vomiting. Because of the language barrier and the fact that he was convinced that he had a "frozen kidney" due to the cold at Byrd, he would not answer questions which he felt were irrelevant to that condition. His pain, however, was moderate in nature and almost constant. The Soviet scientist had been accustomed to drinking large quantities of milk but had discontinued this practice upon arrival in Antarctica, because the only milk available was powdered milk, which he did not like.

Laboratory examination at this time showed an increase in white blood cells to a rather high level, consistent with acute inflammation. Studies referable to the kidney showed no abnormality in this area.

The patient was placed on an "ulcer regime" (milk, anti-acids, anti-spasmodics, sedatives, and bed rest). Moderate relief was attained in about six hours.

On the night of 27 March, Mr. Kuperov was in constant pain. The following day, an attempt was made to contact Mirnyy and have him talk to the medical doctor there.

The patient was again awakened by pain on the 29th; relief was obtained through medication. On 30 March, Kuperov spent a fair night but had frequent attacks of pain. The next day a voice-radio conversation with the medical doctor at Mirnyy took place. The Soviet doctor diagnosed Mr. Kuperov's illness as "gastrite" or "a sore on the stomach wall." His suggested treatment was equivalent to that previously prescribed.

On 31 March, a voice-radio conference with the Medical Officer of the U. S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, LT Jack W. Potter, MC, USN, promoted the decision that, under the circumstances, it would be advisable to attempt evacuation as soon as possible, in view of the long-range possibility of complications. Mr. Kuperov continued to do well under medication, but was tending to become a chronic problem.

On 1 April, the already alerted C-130 aircraft were ordered by RADM David M. Tyree, USN, Commander, U. S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, to fly from the Naval Air Station at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, for the pending evacuation. Two aircraft were dispatched that day, one piloted by CDR Newcomer (departed at 1851) and the other under LT Ronald F. Carlson, USN (departed at 1900).

Mr. Kuperov continued to lose weight; the total amount eventually reached 14 pounds. By 2 April his improvement had reached a "plateau"; at that time his food consumption was confined to milk and small amounts of tea.

Laboratory examination (3 April) showed him to be recovering. There was, however, some indication that he had not acclimatized to the high altitude at Byrd. This was suspected to be due to a chronic blood loss, through a possible ulcer or other source.

This further increased concern about the future course of his illness and made evacuation more desirable. With sunset due at McMurdo on 25 April, and with only about 12 hours of daylight each day (the sun being above the horizon only 20 degrees at noon), it became necessary to evacuate the patient as soon as weather conditions permitted.

USS STATEN ISLAND (AGB-5) had departed Port Lyttelton on 31 March, arriving on Ocean Station at 60° South latitude, 170° East longitude on 5 April (0700). The first C-130 arrived in Christchurch on 3 April (2121). The second aircraft arrived less than three hours later (4 April OOll)). On the ice, the Seabees at the Naval Air Facility, McMurdo Sound, and the party at Byrd had readied navigation aids, ground control approach equipment, fuel for the aircraft and the skiways for the operation. The two stations were ready on 5 April. The aircraft was scheduled to depart later that same day (at 1100). But weather prevented the takeoff, for even though there were favorable winds enroute, visibility at McMurdo was below minimum standards, as the station sat in a snowstorm. By 6 April, Mr. Kuperov's diet had been increased to include oatmeal and a small amount of plain spaghetti. This improvement was also noted in his consumption of large amounts of milk. Hemoglobin studies on the following day showed no change, however, and the question continued to exist as to the cause for his loss of blood.

The aircraft in Christchurch was delayed three times, but finally, on 8 April (1250), it began the 2250 statute mile, 8 hour and 16 minute flight to McMurdo. It carried a double crew of 16, a special crew of 7 more, one passenger, and some supplies and mail.

Arriving at McMurdo, it refueled and waited while weather conditions were studied for the 917 statute mile flight to Byrd. At 1722, with the station still in darkness, it was airborne. In three hours and 25 minutes it landed at Byrd Station.

It remained at the station only 45 minutes, and at 2130 was airborne with the Soviet scientist aboard. Arriving at McMurdo in about three hours (10 April (0040)), it stopped only long enough to refuel, load some mail, and plot a flight track to take advantage of the favorable weather conditions. The first attempt at take off was unsuccessful for, even with JATO, the Hercules could not overcome the drag of the three feet of soft snow. The aircraft was then taxied up and down the snow strip, compacting it to allow for an easier takeoff.

Airborne again at 0455 (10 April), CDR Newcomer, his crew and the patient arrived in Christchurch less than eight hours later (at 1251). The entire mission, from Christchurch ^to McMurdo, Byrd, and return, had covered 6300 miles, taking only 48 hours and twenty minutes.

Leonid Kuperov was taken immediately to Christchurch's new Princess Margaret Hospital. Here preliminary X-ray studies showed no evidence of an ulcer, although the possibility was not definitely ruled out as laboratory tests showed certain abnormalities. Without further diagnostic examination, the patient was released to the Soviet legation in Wellington.

STATEN ISLAND left her station (10 April (0140)) for Wellington and ten hours after the mission had been completed, LT Carlson and his crew, who had stood by in case of emergency, left New Zealand for Quonset Point. CDR Newcomer and his crew rested for two days and then loaded cargo and passengers and began the 10,000 mile flight to the States.

The following is the text of the editorial "A Flight to Remember" which appeared in the Christchurch STAR on Wednesday, 11 April 1961:

"Gratitude and admiration are the sentiments aroused by the successful completion of the world's most notable mercy flight. When the United States Navy's ski-equipped Hercules left Christchurch International Airport, manned by a complement of brave men, it was to face something never before encountered by flying men. Little wonder that, among those left behind, anxiety mingled with pride in what men will attempt to succour other men. Over long miles of water and ice, on a route not previously traversed so late in the season, flew the Hercules, bound for McMurdo Sound, and then for Byrd Station, where lay the sick Russian scientist. Not only did those aboard face the normal hazard of Antarctica weather; they were also heading toward a land where the hours of daylight are few. Now that it is all over, the modest tendency is "to-regard the flight as more or less routine. But that in no way diminishes the value of this arresting example of the oft-repeated and several times proved phrase .that among those who face the perils of the polar regions national barriers mean nothing. There may be other flights like this, but there can never be one quite the same. It is something to remember as a stirring example of the call that humanity can exercise in a world where so much stress is apt to be laid on inhumanity."

PERSONNEL PARTICIPATING IN THE EVACUATION MISSION