A Search and Rescue team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island conducted a medical evacuation from Port Townsend in the early morning hours of Thursday, Nov. 29.

The SAR team received a request to transport an 80-year-old man suffering from a pulmonary embolism from Jefferson Healthcare Medical Center in Port Townsend to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton.

Because of weight limitations on the hospital’s helicopter landing pad, the patient was transported to Jefferson County International Airport, where he was transferred to the SAR helicopter.

The helicopter lifted off shortly after 1 a.m.

After studying the Harrison Medical Center and surrounding area, the SAR crew elected to land in a field at a nearby school to transfer the patient to an ambulance.

Jefferson County and Bremerton fire departments coordinated with the SAR crew to clear a landing zone and have the ambulance waiting.

The patient was transferred to the ambulance for ground transport to Harrison Medical Center at approximately 1:40 a.m.

NAS Whidbey Island SAR has conducted 66 total missions throughout Washington state this year, including 43 rescues, eight searches and 15 medical evacuations.