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Essex Performs Night MEDEVAC

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080126-06
Release Date: 1/26/2008 3:45:00 PM

From USS Essex Public Affairs

USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors from the forward-deployed amphibious ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the pilots and aircrew of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 rescued a merchant sailor who was suffering from stroke-like symptoms while onboard a Military Sealift Command ship in the Sea of Japan, Jan 25.

Essex received a medical evacuation request from the ocean surveillance ship USNS Loyal (T-AGOS 22) while transiting to Okinawa, Japan to onload the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), including the MEU's aviation combat element (ACE) aircraft and Marines for the annual spring patrol.

"A 63-year-old male on the Loyal was found by the crew who believed he was having a stroke," said Cmdr. Michael Picio, Essex's senior medical officer. "The captain radioed for a medical evacuation; we were the closest ship with the ideal medical facilities."

Under the direction of Capt. Anthony Pachuta, commander Amphibious Squadron 11, Essex responded to the call for help because it was the closest vessel with a hospital and the ability to transport and stabilize the patient.

"We had a situation where there was a merchant sailor that required medical assistance," said Cmdr. William Villareal, Essex's operations officer. "We were able to utilize Essex's assets to transport the patient from sea to shore. The mission was a success because of the team efforts of Amphibious Squadron 11 and Essex."

Essex launched a MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from HSC-25 at approximately 6:30 p.m. carrying Lt. Javier Agraz, Essex's general medical officer, and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Nicolas Rohde to evaluate the patient on the Loyal.

The HSC-25 crew flying the rescue mission was commanded by Lt. Dave Frazier, pilot. Lt. Andrea Phillips, co-pilot, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Robert Thorpe, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Bobby Price and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Heath Smith also participated in the mission.

Because the Loyal was unable to provide a landing area for the helicopter, Agraz was lowered 85 feet to the ship's deck in order to evaluate the patient. Agraz made a brief assessment of the patient and determined he should be transported to Essex for further evaluation.

After lifting the patient to the helicopter, the crew returned 85 miles to Essex. Further testing onboard revealed that the patient likely had an evolving stroke. With this information it was decided to transfer the patient to the nearest hospital.

Essex quickly steamed to within 100 miles of Sasebo, where arrangements were made for a medical evacuation. Lt. Cmdr. Mike Service, Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo medical regulating officer, arranged for transport to Sogo Medical Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

After the patient was delivered to Sasebo, the HSC-25 helicopter crew returned to Essex about 11 p.m.

"This was a great example of our naval team pulling together. One of our civilian mariners was in need. Uniformed and civilian members of our team, both at sea and ashore, immediately responded to provide help," said Capt. Brian Donegan, Essex commanding officer. "Everyone performed and executed superbly."

Essex air traffic controllers, who guided the aircrew for the round trips to the Loyal and Sasebo, were a vital component to this mission.

"I'm just glad that I was able to assist the pilots and crew back to the Essex and that we worked great as a team," said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Scott Morgan, of Hattieville, Arkansas.

Essex departed Sasebo, Japan for its spring patrol throughout the Western Pacific region, Jan 24.

Essex will now transit to Okinawa, Japan where nearly 1,200 Marines and Sailors including ground, air, combat support and command elements will embark.

Once the Marines are onboard, Essex will assume the role of flagship for the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESX ESG) and be joined by the dock landing ship USS Juneau (LPD 10) and the transport dock ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), both forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan.

During spring patrol Essex will participate in a series of bilateral maritime training exercises designed to build relationships and enhance operational readiness of partner Asian-Pacific nations. Essex will continue to make a positive difference in the Western Pacific through continued friendship building engagements, while remaining a vigilant force for security, stability and prosperity.

Essex is the only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and serves Task Force 76 the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.