USS TRUXTUN, at sea -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) assisted in the medical evacuation of a Pakistani navy Sailor, March 6.
The Sailor, assigned to the Zulfiquar-class frigate PNS Aslat was in need of medical attention.
“After finding out the status of the patient I coordinated with my corpsmen and the chain of command to come up with a plan to provide assistance,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Kelvin Murphy.
That evening, Truxtun sent a boat crew in a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to meet the Aslat, pick up the Sailor and transport him back to Truxtun.
“It was just after nightfall so visibility was low which provided a challenge for our boat crew,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel Martinez.
At approximately 7 p.m., after the Sailor was safely aboard Truxtun, a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 detachment launched from Truxtun to transport the Sailor to a shore-based medical facility for treatment.
“Our corpsmen did an outstanding job ensuring the patient was in stable condition prior to transferring him onto the helicopter for MEDEVAC to the hospital,” said Cmdr. Troy R. Denison, Truxtun’s commanding officer. “The coordinated effort between our medical team, deck Sailors and embarked air detachment enabled us to respond with urgency and precise execution.”
The Sailor is expected to make a full recovery.
U.S. and Pakistan maritime forces have a long history of working through various exercises and real-world operations. These professional engagements have greatly increased interoperability between the two nations.
Truxtun is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region.