Submitted by Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

A search and rescue team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island conducted a medical evacuation from Orcas the morning of Jan. 14.

The SAR crew responded to a call just after 10 a.m. to transport a 42-year-old male who had slipped on the ice and suffered an extreme ankle injury where he could potentially lose his foot. SAR picked him up on island and transported him to St. Joseph’s hospital in Bellingham just before 1 p.m.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR has conducted five total missions throughout Washington State this year, including one search and rescue and four 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.