Photograph by LAC Jeremy Patten

Amer Sports One, a yacht competing in the around the world Volvo Ocean Race only had 48 hours worth of intravenous drip, antibiotics and painkillers, including pethidine and morphine when Keith Kilpatrick fell ill with severe abdominal pain, cramps and vomiting. Mr Kilpatrick, 40, was one of 12 crew members on board.

Led by Squadron Leader Andy Glover the crew of 15, from RAAF Edinburgh's No. 92 Wing flew 1500 nautical miles south west of Perth to help save the American's life. The Air Force is the only organisation in Australia with aircraft capable of flying the distance.

The aircrew, based in South Australia, transited through RAAF Pearce in Western Australia to refuel before beginning the search and resupply mission.

Meticulous planning left the Orion with about 30 minutes of useable light at the end of the long run.

'It was starting to get dark so the pressure was on for us to make it work first time round. It was very time critical,' said SQNLDR Glover.

His augmented crew included four pilots, two tactical coordinators and two sensor employment managers.

The aircrew began to communicate directly with Amer Sports One about three hours into their flight via HF radio. When the Orion was within half an hour of the yacht, the crew switched to VHF to finalise the details of the helibox drop and pinpoint the yacht's position.

Heliboxes are white and orange striped about one metre tall and 30cm square with flaps on top folded like rotor blades.

'The entire crew did an exceptional job, keeping a level head at all times.

'It was very satisfying for our crew to see the drop go smoothly, and make it relatively easy for the sailors to retrieve the boxes. [They landed almost on the bow of the yacht. Ed]

'Overall, the mission went very well, and having an augmented crew enabled the crew leads to plan and obtain rest prior to the actual helibox drops,' said SQNLDR Glover.

[Mr Kilpatrick was stabilised on board Amer Sports One and eventually hospitalised in Albany, Westen Australia. He had hoped to rejoin his yacht but was too ill to do so and was repatriated to the United States when well enough to travel. Ed]

Story by Deanna Nott