Croatian Air Force Black Hawk transports donor heart in night operation

(Photo: MORH)

ZAGREB, 6 June 2025 – A Croatian Air Force (HRZ) Black Hawk helicopter successfully completed a critical medical transport mission involving a donor heart and transplant team from Hungary to Zagreb in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The urgent operation took place overnight from 5 to 6 June 2025 and was carried out by a three-member crew from the 194th Multi-Mission Helicopter Squadron of the Croatian Air Force.

The mission began with a night-time flight at 1:49am from the Lučko barracks to Donji Miholjac, transporting the medical transplant team in preparation for receiving the heart. The helicopter landed at its destination at 2:37am.

Following the successful organ retrieval in Hungary, the same HRZ crew took off again from Lučko and returned to Donji Miholjac at 6:38am to collect the team and the donor heart.

From there, they transported both to the helipad at Dubrava Clinical Hospital in Zagreb, where the transplant procedure was to take place.

The mission was a joint effort coordinated by Croatia’s Civil Protection Operational Centre, the Ministry of Health, and the Croatian Armed Forces. Based on an urgent request from Civil Protection, the Croatian Air Force was tasked with ensuring rapid aerial transport to support the life-saving operation.

(Photo: MORH)

“This night operation with the Black Hawk helicopter was successfully completed, once again highlighting the crucial role of swift and precise coordination between the transplant team and the flight crew,” said one of the HRZ pilots involved in the mission.

He emphasised the high level of training and preparedness of the crew:

“Our teams are always ready, and their professionalism is most visible in these demanding and time-sensitive situations.”

The successful operation underscores the vital role of the Croatian Air Force in supporting the national healthcare system, particularly in urgent medical scenarios where every minute counts.