It’s deep winter in the Antarctic, bringing with it bitter cold and howling winds that make flying there almost impossible. CALGARY-based airline KENN BOREK AIR – ‘anytime, anyplace, worldwide’ – undertook the rescue of two ill Americans from the US Amundsen-Scott South Polar Station <PHOTO BELOW – David McCarthy AFP/Getty Images>.  Landing in frigid temperatures with a wind chill of -113 degrees Fahrenheit the evacuation went off without a hitch.

The Twin Otter aircraft is the only type of plane in the world capable of operating in polar midwinter temperatures.  On the return journey, flying 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometres) for 10 hours through the polar night, the mercy flight landed at a British base on the tip of Antarctica.  Both individuals have now been transported to a hospital in CHILE.

This very dangerous mission has been given much attention by the US media, with scarce mention of CANADA (thanks NPR) or the unique flying abilities of KENN BOREK AIR.

<PHOTOS ABOVE – loading for the return journey & ready for takeoff.  Well done Canada! David McCarthy, AFP/Getty Images>