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Nimitz Conducts MEDEVAC With USS Pasadena
Story Number: NNS030609-11
Release Date: 6/9/2003 4:17:00 PM
By Journalist Seaman Kristine DeHoux, USS Nimitz Public Affairs
ABOARD USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Nimitz's (CVN 68) deck department was called upon June 4 to assist a USS Pasadena (SSN 752) Sailor who had a potentially serious medical condition.
A medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) is not a rare procedure for carriers at sea, because they serve as the centerpiece and best medical provider in a carrier strike group. Helicopter squadrons attached to the ship are typically asked to perform a MEDEVAC.
However, this procedure was a little different. Since Pasadena is a submarine, a MEDEVAC by small boat was more feasible at the time.
“The boat crew performed safely and professionally,” said Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW/AW) Moses Truesdale, who served as the boat officer for the evolution. “The coxswain made an excellent approach alongside Pasadena. He maintained station for the safe transfer of the Sailor. The whole event took about 30 minutes.”
Truesdale, who has made several personnel transfers from submarines in his career, noted the seriousness of the task. “There’s a lot of danger areas around a sub,” he said. “If a swell comes up, the personnel could be swept overboard and be sucked up into the screws (propellers).”
Nimitz's deck department conducts routine drills with rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs). The vessel used to perform the MEDEVAC, but they seldom make contact with other ships, especially a submarine.
“Normally, you don’t hear much about subs, let alone pick up one of their crewmen,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) Richard Grier, who was the coxswain for the MEDEVAC.
Grier attributes the performance to the training he has received. “The training helps out a lot,” he said. “When you come alongside a submarine... it takes skill to stay close enough to transfer personnel.”
Once the Sailor was safely aboard Nimitz, the medical staff was able to confirm the seriousness of his condition. They then coordinated with 5th Fleet and the Air Force to have the Sailor flown off Nimitz and transferred to another hospital ashore to receive appropriate care.
“It was definitely a joint military operation and a great team effort,” said Lt. Thomas Piner of Nimitz's medical department. “With everyone’s help, we were able to get one of our shipmates the care he needed.”
The Nimitz carrier strike group is currently conducting operations in the Arabian Gulf.
For related news, visit the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn68.
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