Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 assisted in the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of an elderly patient from Rota who required medical treatment Nov. 24.
Upon the request of Coast Guard Sector Guam, a MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from HSC-25 was promptly dispatched from Andersen Air Force Base and transported the patient from Rota to Saipan for treatment.
The incident was the 16th MEDEVAC executed by HSC-25 personnel this year.
“The value that HSC-25 brings to the Marianas goes beyond dollars and cents and is measured in lives saved,” said Rear Adm. Tilghman Payne, commander, Joint Region Marianas. “Their unique mission involving search and rescue and humanitarian response for cases like this MEDEVAC represents the Navy’s steadfast commitment to the people of the Marianas.”
HSC-25 is the only squadron that maintains a 24-hour search and rescue and medical evacuation alert posture, directly supporting the U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Region Marianas.
HSC-25 is also the Navy’s only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron. As a part of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, it provides an armed helicopter capability for U.S. 7th Fleet in support of logistics, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance missions.
[mappress] Press Release, November 26, 2013; Image: US Navy