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Friday, December 19, 2025

A Hard Night on the Ice

Adam Predkiel, our AS350/H125 helicopter pilot, was awarded the Danish Minister of Defence’s Medal for Extraordinary Service on Friday, 12 December. The award recognizes an operation carried out during a rescue mission on the sea ice north of Qaanaaq earlier this year.

On 10 June at around 5:30 p.m., Adam received a call from the Operations Control Centre (OCC) in Nuuk. They asked him to verify an accident in the Etah area, approximately 150 kilometres north of Qaanaaq.

 

Adam was in Pituffik when the call came in (Pituffik is not his regular base). He normally flies daily charter missions with passengers and cargo, but he is also trained in patient transport in accordance with Air Greenland’s procedures.

 

– I immediately assessed that my training and experience were needed. I started checking the weather, which wasn’t very good, and I sensed that a life-critical mission lay ahead, Adam explains.

 

OCC informed Adam that the Arctic Command had received a distress call via Garmin InReach with coordinates for the position, but no further details. However, the weather was too poor for them to take off immediately.

 

While waiting for conditions to improve, Adam gathered the necessary equipment. An experienced liaison officer from the Danish Armed Forces volunteered, and together they conducted a thorough briefing for the mission.

 

– It gave a great sense of reassurance that the liaison officer stepped in. Having him on board meant extra hands to handle whatever awaited us, says Adam.

The Weather Worsens

About an hour after the call from OCC, the helicopter took off with Adam at the controls and the liaison officer on board. Throughout the flight, they were in constant contact with a Challenger aircraft that the Arctic Command had dispatched from Kangerlussuaq to survey the area and drop rescue equipment to those in distress.

 

After a challenging flight with changing weather conditions, they managed to land on the sea ice, 30 kilometres north of Etah. A group that had raised the alarm was waiting there and had marked a landing zone for the helicopter. Among them was one person who needed to be taken to hospital.

 

– The injured person was in very bad condition, so we had to get going again quickly so he could receive medical treatment as soon as possible,” Adam explains.

 

On the return flight, Adam contacted AFIS in Qaanaaq and requested that a doctor be ready at the airport. Upon arrival, the medical team assessed that the patient needed to be transferred to the hospital in Pituffik, and they urgently sought permission from the Space Base.

 

– While we were waiting for this permission, I checked Windy and contacted the meteorological office, which reported good weather along the route. But the weather turned out to be worse than expected,” says Adam.

Adam Pilot

Lost on the Radar

Weather conditions became increasingly challenging, and before reaching the destination, the helicopter had to land on the sea ice nine kilometres outside Pituffik. They waited there for 20 minutes with the rotors running.
– I wanted to be as close to the airfield as possible. Flying back to the coast was an option, but it could have reduced our chances of getting to the airport quickly, Adam recounts.

While waiting on the ice, the helicopter disappeared from radar, causing confusion in Pituffik.

 

– I could sense that something was wrong with the connection to the tower. Instead, I managed to get through to the traffic office, which immediately informed them that we were safe and on our way, Adam explains.

 

At around 1:00 a.m., the helicopter landed safely in Pituffik, where an ambulance, police and fire brigade were standing by. The mission, which lasted around six hours, ended successfully. The patient survived and was later transferred to the hospital in Ilulissat.

 

– I’m relieved that the man is doing well, and the experience has naturally left a strong impression on me. I’m particularly impressed by the cross-organisational cooperation throughout the entire operation. OCC, Air Greenland’s traffic office in Pituffik, the Arctic Command and the Pituffik tower handled everything 100 percent professionally. Their calm and attentiveness spread to us on board and to me as the pilot, says Adam.

Medal for Extraordinary Service

It comes as no surprise that Adam Predkiel was subsequently contacted by the Danish Armed Forces. He was invited to attend a medal ceremony, where he would be awarded the Minister of Defence’s Medal for his extraordinary efforts on 10 June.

The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Defence on 12 December. Adam Predkiel was one of three recipients to receive the medal from Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen. Adam was honoured for the rescue operation in Greenland; one medal was awarded for Denmark’s military support to Ukraine, and another for the development of weapons technology.

Martin Volden 660

Martin Volden, Chief Pilot of the AS350 group, is proud of Adam and the effort that led to this well-deserved medal.
– Adam handled the situation in a professional, safe and efficient manner and demonstrated exceptionally sound judgement throughout the entire operation.
– It was clear that he was constantly thinking several steps ahead and making decisions that ensured both the progress of the operation and safety. He worked very well with all involved parties, which contributed significantly to a smooth and well-coordinated execution of the mission, says Martin Volden.

Adam’s professionalism, calm demeanour and ability to maintain an overview in a demanding situation played a major role in ensuring that the task was carried out safely and successfully.

 

– Adam’s efforts and approach are exemplary, and I would like to give him my clear recognition for the work he performed,” Martin Volden concludes.

 

Air Greenland ensured that Adam, his wife and their children were able to travel to Copenhagen, so his children could proudly watch their father receive his well-deserved medal.

 

Congratulations, Adam — an outstanding effort!

Text: Heidi Møller Isaksen