Formation flights provide training for the aircrews.
U.S. Coast Guard photo.
JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard rescue (medevac) a 38-year-old injured crewmember from the Hong Kong flagged cargo ship Xin Li Hia approximately 230 nautical miles southwest of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, Tuesday.
A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew arrived on scene at approximately 5:34 p.m. Tuesday, rescue the crewmember and transported him to Dutch Harbor where he was met by LifeMed for further transportation to Anchorage.
Watchstanders from the Coast Guard 17th District received a report from the cargo vessel Xin Li Hia crew at approximately 5:20 p.m. Sunday requesting a medical evacuation of a crewmember who was suffering from severe abdominal pain. The ship was approximately 800 nautical miles southwest of Dutch Harbor at the time of the report. The Xin Li Hia crew was advised to transit towards Dutch Harbor until they were in-range of the rescue helicopter crew for the medevac.
Watchstanders diverted Coast Guard Cutter Kimball to the scene, repositioned the Air Station Kodiak MH-60T Jayhawk MRR helicopter crew to Dutch Harbor, and launched an Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules crew with a second MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew aboard from Kodiak to Dutch Harbor.
“This case showcases the importance proficiency plays in conducting long-range medevacs in Alaska,» said Lt. Christopher McCarthy, Coast Guard 17th District command duty officer. “The close coordination between our command center staff, the multiple Air Station Kodiak crews and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kimball helped ensured this mariner was able to obtain medical treatment.”
–USCG–
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