7-Apr-2021 Source: USS Carl Vinson
During the evolution, a simulated patient was transported by the ship’s medical team to a CMV-22B Osprey from the “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30.
Lt. Andrew Nop, Vinson’s nurse, supervised the medevac exercise and said the event further highlighted the CMV-22B’s capabilities in support of mission readiness. He said the aircraft affords providers additional options to care for patients.
“It was very exciting,” said Nop. “Being the first carrier to perform an Osprey [CMV-22B] medevac exercise came with many lessons learned and a new way forward in carrier medicine. We can only get better from here.”
Ospreys have been flown by the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force since 2007. Medevac operations and exercises have been flown over land with Ospreys before, but this marks the first medevac exercise of a Navy CMV-22B on an aircraft carrier.
Medevacs ensure fast and efficient movement of patients while also enabling medical personnel to simultaneously care for patients en route. Seconds can make all the difference in a patient’s condition while transporting them from sea to shore for additional medical assistance.
Lt. Damico R. Hill, CVW-2 aerospace physician’s assistant, participated in the exercise and said the Osprey can transport more patients at one time, an advantage over helicopters if the ship should ever encounter multiple patients who need simultaneous evacuation.
“This is a huge game-changer and will allow for better transport of patients if there is a mass casualty,” said Hill. “I’d say it was a huge success.”
Hospitalman Camryn Scott, assigned to Vinson’s medical department, said the exercise provided medical personnel the opportunity to learn about the Osprey’s capabilities.
“I was extremely lucky to be included in this exercise,” said Scott. “Hopefully we never need to do this for real, but if we do, I know our team will be ready.”
The CMV-22B Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities designed to combine the adaptability of a helicopter with the range and speed of fixed-wing aircraft. This allows it to reach farther distances than the average helicopter while also taking off and landing in more restrictive zones than the previous method of carrier onboard delivery with the C-2 Greyhound.
