— from Mike Wilding of NAS Whidbey Island —
A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) early Saturday morning, October 31, 2015, for a man in critical condition from Friday Harbor.
The SAR crew of five took off shortly after midnight on Saturday, and transited to the Friday Harbor Airport to pick up the 74-year-old man. They then flew to Bellingham International Airport where he was transferred to higher care via ambulance to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, Wash. This was the third MEDEVAC that SAR responded to from Friday Harbor within the past week; the other two occurring October 24th and October 28th.
“The weather made for very difficult flying conditions this evening, but the entire crew worked together to manage risk and develop the safest plan possible to achieve our mission,” said SAR Rescue Swimmer Naval Aircrewman Second Class Daniel Ismay. “It is nice to walk away from a flight knowing you helped someone who really needed it.”
This year, NAS Whidbey Island SAR has launched on 31 SAR/MEDEVAC missions, resulting in 25 lives delivered to higher level care.
The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island 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.**
