News Releases

By Captain Bill Wyss

A CH-149 Cormorant Helicopter from 9 Wing Gander performed a medical evacuation (medevac) of a 49-year-old man on board a fishing vessel 290 nautical miles (nm) south east of St. John's, Newfoundland on Sunday, June 30. The Portuguese fisherman was experiencing extreme abdominal pain was diagnosed with an incarcerated hernia.

At the time of the medevac the Coast Guard Vessel Cygnus was only five nm from the Portuguese fishing vessel. The Cygnus was able to transfer the patient and begin a "top speed transit" towards St. John's. This proved vital to the success of the medevac as the weather was not suitable for the Cormorant helicopter to refuel on the Hibernia Oil Rig as it routinely does on missions greater than 200 nm out to sea.

The Cormorant crew was able to calculate a rendezvous position and eventually meet the Cygnus 213 nm from shore. A CC-130 Hercules aircraft, tasked from 14 Wing Greenwood as "top cover" for the helicopter, confirmed the low ceilings and poor visibilities in the area. HH HhExtensive fog, high winds and moderate seas were a challenge the Cormorant crew were able to overcome when Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) Sergeant Dave Payne and Master Corporal Aaron Bygrove were hoisted to the deck of the Cygnus to prepare the patient for transfer. The hoist was completed with no delay; the SARTechs and patient were on board the aircraft in less than 30 minutes as fuel was a growing concern for the long transit home slowed by a strong headwind.

During the flight, pain medication and antibiotics were administered by the crew after consultation with the Wing Flight Surgeon and the receiving emergency room doctor. The patient was successfully transported to the Health Science Centre in St. John's "with a sure sign of relief on his face" as noted by Sgt Payne as the helicopter touched down.

The Cormorant, the Cygnus, the Hercules and their respective crews were able to reduce this patient's wait for medical attention to this potentially life threatening condition by over 12 hours.
Capt Bill Wyss is a pilot with 109 Squadron, 9 Wing Gander.

Want to make a difference like these Air Force members did?

Interested in a career with the Air Force?

Go to www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca.