Submitted by NAS Whidbey Island

A search and rescue team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island conducted a medical evacuation from Orcas in the early morning hours of Nov. 6.

The SAR crew responded to a call to transport a 47-year-old male suffering from head injuries from Orcas Island Airport to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

The SAR crew arrived at Orcas Island Airport at approximately 1:45 a.m. where they picked up the patient. The patient was transported to Harborview Medical Center, where they landed by approximately 2:20 a.m.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR has conducted 39 total missions throughout Washington State this year, including 12 searches, 15 rescues and 12 medical evacuations.

The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue/medical evacuation platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation.

Pursuant to the National SAR Plan of the United States, the unit may also be used for civil SAR/MEDEVAC needs on a non-interference basis. The unit may launch in response for inland missions, and/or tasking by the United States Coast Guard for all other aeronautical and maritime regions, when other assets are unavailable.