Port Blair, June 22: Andaman & Nicobar Command undertook an urgent medical casualty evacuation from Pulo Milo Island in the Nicobar Group on 19 Jul 2014. The complex operation enabled three patients along with six persons accompanying them to be airlifted to Port Blair for urgent medical treatment.
Acting on a request from the A&N Administration for evacuation of critically ill persons from Little Andaman, HQ Andaman & Nicobar Command swung into action, informing the Flying Dolphins Helicopter Rescue Coordination Centre (HRCC), Carnic to undertake the medical evacuation immediately. As per the available coordinates, the casualties was located on the edge of Little Andaman Island, where no landing place for a MI-17V5 helicopter was available. Despite absence of any further accurate details, the Indian Air Force Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter swiftly got airborne at 1150 hrs with full SAR crew, and established communication with the police stationed at Sombrero Point, on the northern edge of Little Andaman, on HF radio. The police informed that their team was already on the way with the patients in two boats towards a suitable landing site on Pulo Milo Island.
On reaching the new coordinates of the location given by the police at Sombrero Point, the crew started a search for the casualties. On further enquiry from the air, it was intimated to the pilots that the police team with the patients, was out of communication range. After a meticulous search of the area, the pilots sighted the two boats approaching Pulo Milo Island at approximately 1310 hours. On further reconnaissance of this small island, the crew realised that there was no clear patch for landing. However, keeping the critical condition of the casualties, the crew decided to put the helicopter down on a hover in the air, one to two metres above a beach keeping it clear of trees on one side and sea on the other. The SAR crew then lifted the three patients and six persons accompanying them into the helicopter. The operation took around 15 minutes and the captain of the helicopter Squadron Leader SS Multani kept the helicopter in a steady hover despite the splashing sea waves, swirling sand and floatsam, ensuring safe lift up of all casualties. The helicopter then got airborne to the nearest Naval Base at Campbell Bay, and landed there at 1345 hrs.
Meanwhile one Indian Air Force Dornier aircraft also got airborne from Port Blair at 1239 hrs for Campbell Bay to carry the casualties from Campbell Bay to Port Blair. Displaying good airmanship traits and presence of mind the Dornier flew over Pulo Milo, acting as a communication bridge between the SAR helicopter and the Air Force Base at Carnic, giving live update of the progress of the operation.
The crew of the SAR helicopter comprised of Squadron Leader SS Multani, Flight Lieutenant A Manhans, Master Warrant Officer Bhusan, Warrant Officer AK Singh and Sergeant Sunny from the Flying Dolphins Helicopter Unit at Carnic, along with one aircraft technician and two medical assistants of the Indian Air Force.
The patients reached Port Blair safely at 1435 hrs from Campbell Bay by the Dornier aircraft, and were handed over to the medical authorities, and are reportedly out of danger.
The medical casualty evacuation operation was carried out promptly with complete professionalism and dedication, and once again re-iterates the commitment of the Andaman & Nicobar Command towards our fellow islanders.
