The three-member crew of the Croatian Air Force, operating the Black Hawk UH-60M helicopter from the 194th Squadron of Multi-Role Helicopters of the 91st Wing, performed an emergency medical airlift that resulted in the successful transport of a heart for transplantation from Zadar to Zagreb. This complex operation, which took place on September 4, 2024, enabled the timely transport of the organ and critical medical team, which is of crucial importance for the success of the transplantation.

The call came from the transplantation coordinator of the Ministry of Health, and the helicopter crew responded quickly, taking off from the Lučko barracks in the early morning hours. The helicopter carried a four-member medical team and the surgical equipment necessary for the heart explantation procedure. Upon arrival in Zadar, the team immediately began preparations, while the helicopter crew remained on standby awaiting the completion of the operation.

Humanitarian and technical mission
After the successful explantation, the Black Hawk helicopter took off again, this time with a critical payload – a heart ready for transplantation. They landed in Zagreb, at KBC Dubrava, where the organ was handed over to the team that would continue with the transplantation procedures. This type of urgent flights often involves cooperation between the military and health institutions to ensure that transplantation organs arrive at their destination on time, as the success of these operations depends on the swift delivery of organs within a limited time frame.

Operation under high pressure
The transport of transplantation teams and organs requires precise coordination and organization, with the military providing the necessary logistical support. According to the Ministry of Defense, such operations represent an important aspect of the military's assistance to the civilian population. As highlighted by Defense Minister Mario Banožić, the use of modern Black Hawk helicopters further enhances the capabilities of the Croatian military and enables quick and efficient actions like these, which save lives. The Minister also emphasized that this is an excellent example of cooperation between the healthcare system and the military, which is crucial in situations where time is critical for the success of transplantations.

Such air missions are not new, but they are of exceptional importance to the medical sector. Just a few months earlier, a similar operation was conducted on the Split-Zagreb route, where the Black Hawk helicopter also transported a heart for transplantation, demonstrating the high readiness and professionalism of the pilots and medical staff. Each such flight involves hours of coordination between different institutions to ensure that everything goes according to plan and that the life-saving organ arrives on time for the operation.

After the successful landing in Zagreb, the transplantation organ was handed over to the medical team that immediately continued with the transplantation procedure at KBC Dubrava. The speed of response and accuracy in executing this mission demonstrated that the Croatian Air Force plays a crucial role in supporting civilian institutions and saving lives, especially in emergency medical situations where every minute counts. Black Hawk helicopters, with their advanced technology and reliability, have become a key tool in such missions, allowing rapid movement between distant locations and providing support to those in greatest need.