PHILIPPINE SEA – Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and the embarked ‘Wolf Pack’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 supported an early morning helicopter medical evacuation of a crew member of USNS Able (T-AGOS), Nov. 16.

Chancellorsville sped more than 250 miles away from her operating area to be within range of the vessel to utilize their MH-60R Seahawk helicopter of HSM-75 and transport the crew member to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

“The sound planning and cooperation of all units involved allowed us to execute this operation smoothly and effectively,” said Capt. Curt Renshaw, commanding officer of Chancellorsville. “This is a prime example of how regular training and practice can pay dividends to overall mission readiness.”

A crew of five, two pilots, two naval air crewmen, and a senior medical representative were tasked with piloting the helicopter and retrieving the patient.

To bridge the distance between Chancellorsville and the aircraft carrier, the helicopter ‘leap frogged’ onto Chancellorsville, after departing Able, and took on fuel and supplies for the flight to Ronald Reagan.

The Able crew member was safely transferred to Ronald Reagan to receive medical attention.

Able, a Military Sealift Command ocean surveillance ship, is conducting routine operations in the Western Pacific.

Chancellorsville is on patrol with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.