The "Nightdippers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 and USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) conducted a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) Aug.7, to assist a Sailor from the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68).

Ford is currently underway conducting testing and evaluation operations and was the closest available responder.

"We received notification from The Sullivans that they had a Sailor who required medical attention," said Lt. Dan Pope, one of Ford's tactical action officers. "We immediately assembled the MEDEVAC coordination team and upgraded the alerts for the search and rescue helicopter. From notification to launch, the process took an hour."

Following a review of the patient's status, an embarked MH-60S helicopter from HSC-5 provided patient transportation from the Sullivans to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.

"It's an honor to be able to support our Shipmates and our independent duty corpsmen who provide an indispensable service to the fleet," said Cmdr. Jonathon Elliot, Ford's senior medical officer.