A Search and Rescue team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island conducted a Medical Evacuation on Tuesday, June 14 from Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, on NAS Whidbey Island.
The SAR crew of four received initial notification that a female patient was in need of urgent postpartum care at 3:17 p.m. The crew conducted preflight planning, specifically looking into the weather that had been moving into the area, and determined they could complete the flight safely. An ambulance transferred the patient to the waiting helicopter and the crew launched at 4:10 p.m.
The crew worked their way around storm cells and landed at Madigan Army Medical Center at 4:50 p.m. to transfer the patient. Once the entire crew was back onboard, they took off and flew back to NAS Whidbey Island.
“It is good that we were able to get the mother down to the care that she needed,” said SAR Mission Commander, Lt. Jared Wada. “We always strive to do our best, and it is nice when we can help a member of our Navy family.”
This was the sixth MEDEVAC of 2016 for NAS Whidbey Island SAR, which has also conducted two search missions, and nine rescue operations this year.
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 and the surrounding areas with medical evacuations and search and rescue activities if other assets are unavailable.