— from Mike Welding, Public Affairs Officer, NAS Whidbey —
A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Sunday afternoon for a man from San Juan Island suffering artery blockage.
The SAR crew of five took off at about 2:45 p.m. to airlift the 68-year-old man from Friday Harbor airport to Paine Field, where he was transferred to Providence Medical Center in Everett, Wash., by ambulance. This is the third MEDEVAC SAR flown from San Juan Island since Jan. 5, 2015.
Last year, NAS Whidbey Island SAR launched on 18 search and rescue missions and 10 medical evacuations, resulting in 47 lives saved.
The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60 helicopters from NAS Whidbey as search and rescue platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation. The base also has an agreement to assist Washington State with medical evacuations and search and rescue activities.
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
Once again, those of us that live in the islands are very lucky to have the NAS Whidbey SAR available for emergencies.
THANKS!!!