Introduction

The United States Antarctic Program relies on a civilian-military partnership for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). An attempt to comprehensively analyze US aeromedical evacuations from Antarctica, reconciling both civilian and Department of Defense records across multiple seasons, has not been described previously.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed Antarctic MEDEVACs from 2015 to 2023 using United States Antarctic Program MEDEVAC records and Transportation Command Regulating and Command and Control Evacuation System (TRAC2ES) movement data. Deidentified aeromedical evacuation records involving a patient within/from Antarctica or labeled “Operation Deep Freeze” were obtained from the TRAC2ES database. National Science Foundation records were extracted in person at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). The authors extracted deidentified medical data, including medical history, diagnosis, medical treatments, destination, and enroute interventions. Datasets were reconciled using dates, origin/destination, diagnosis category, and narratives.

Results

Sixty-nine TRAC2ES records and 93 UTMB records were included in the final analysis (n=162). Linkage identified 126 distinct movements: 36 cross-source matches, 33 TRAC2ES only, and 57 UTMB only. Patterns of MEDEVACs demonstrated austral-summer clustering with limited winter-over activity. The most common indication was musculoskeletal conditions (35 records), followed by gastrointestinal (18), genitourinary/reproductive (16), cardiac (15), neurologic (12), and respiratory (11) categories.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and UTMB work cooperatively to transport patients with a wide variety of medical pathologies out of Antarctica. Dual-source reconciliation improves visibility across the evacuation continuum. Findings align with experience with disease nonbattle injuries in austere environments.

Search results

United States Aeromedical Evacuations from Antarctica from 2015 to 2023: A Retrospective Analysis of Military and Civilian Data