Coast Guard, Alaska Air National Guard medevac man over 50 miles south of Adak

ADAK, Alaska (KTUU) - The U.S. Coast Guard and Alaska Air National Guard conducted a long-range medevac of a 58-year-old man from a ship over 50 miles south of Adak Wednesday.

The USCG reports watchstanders received a medevac request around 6 a.m. Tuesday from the crew of the Japanese-flagged container ship One Majesty. The vessel’s master was reportedly suffering severe abdominal pain and needed medical help.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter launched from Air Station Kodiak to medevac the man. An AKANG HC-140J Combat King II aircrew with the 211th Rescue Squadron based out of JBER also transported a relief USCG helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak and two pararescuemen to meet the helicopter crew in Adak due to the long travel distance.

Once in Adak, the helicopter relief crew, carrying the two National Guard pararescuemen, launched from Adak alongside the HC-130J aircraft, which provided overhead flight cover. The two aircrews then flew about 58 miles south from Adak to the One Majesty.

The USCG was able to hoist the patient to safety and return to Adak. The AKANG aircrew took him to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, where he was transferred to EMS personnel.

“The determination and collaborative efforts of the Coast Guard, Alaska Air National Guard and One Majesty crew were the vital keys to the success of this life-saving mission,” said Jennifer Whitcomb, Coast Guard Arctic District search and rescue mission coordinator, in a statement.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com