NAS Whidbey Island SAR Medically Evacuates Orcas Woman

— from Anthony Popp, CIV NAS Whidbey —

A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) mid-morning April 25, 2015, for a woman from Orcas Island who suffered an aneurysm.

The SAR crew of five took off at about 11:30 a.m. to airlift the 90-year-old woman from East Sound Airport on Orcas Island to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Bellingham, Wash.

“It is always satisfying to lend a hand and help someone in need,” said Lt. Cmdr. James Thompson, Search and Rescue Mission Commander. “The weather conditions are always interesting in the PACNW, this mission had several areas of very low ceilings but the rest wa sblue sky.”

Thus far this year, NAS Whidbey Island SAR launched on three search and rescuemissions and eight medical evacuations, resulting in nine lives saved.

The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60 helicopters from NAS Whidbey as search andrescue platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned tothe installation. The base also has an agreement to assist Washington State with medical evacuations and search and rescue activities.