USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) Sorties to Conduct MEDEVAC

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Kory Alsberry | PACIFIC OCEAN (June 16, 2016) - Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) and the "Magicians" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 conduct a medical evacuation of a sailor on the ship's flight deck. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) executed an emergency underway from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to provide assistance in the medical evacuation. Shoup is underway conducting routine training exercises. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2rd Class Eli K. Buguey/Released)  

HICKAM, HI, UNITED STATES

06.20.2016

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kory Alsberry 

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (Jun. 19, 2016) – The guided-missile destroyer USS Michel Murphy (DDG 112) conducted an emergency medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) June 19 to assist a Sailor in need of medical attention aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86).

At approximately 2:14 p.m., June 17, Shoup notified Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet that a Sailor on board required MEDEVAC. Shoup, over one thousand miles from shore, was not within helicopter range to conduct the transfer, and U.S. Coast Guard District 14 did not have an asset in the area that could affect a rapid transfer of the Sailor ashore. Michael Murphy, the 3rd Fleet duty ship, was directed to provide support.

Within hours of the initial report, Michael Murphy, sortied from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam with a Navy medical doctor from Hawaii embarked. While Michael Murphy made best speed to close within helicopter range of Shoup, the medical team aboard Shoup worked to keep the Sailor stable.

Embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 launched an MH-60R helicopter from Shoup early in the morning June 18, to transfer the Sailor to Michael Murphy. Once safely on board, Michael Murphy headed back to Hawaii and transferred the Sailor and embarked doctor to Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) as soon as the ship was within helicopter range.

The Sailor is currently being treated by medical personnel at Tripler Army Medical Center

"While our thoughts and prayers remain with the young Sailor who is fighting through this medical emergency, we could not be more proud of the extraordinary team effort from USS Shoup, USS Michael Murphy and the medical teams ashore. There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our Sailors and that was on display during every facet of this emergency response."

Michael Murphy is named for Lt. (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, a New York native who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wing in Afghanistan in 2005. Murphy was the first person to be awarded the medal for actions in Afghanistan and the first member of the U.S. Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War.

Homeported at JBPHH, Hawaii, Michael Murphy is a multi-mission ship with anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare surface combatants capabilities; designed to operate independently or with an associated strike group.

For more information about:
USS Michael P. Murphy, visit www.navy.mil/
Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit http://www.c3f.navy.mil.

• Date Taken: 06.20.2016
• Date Posted: 06.20.2016 11:19
• Story ID: 201789
• Location: HICKAM, HI, US