That’s what friends are for On Saturday afternoon, 50 nautical miles south of Guam, a sailor aboard HMNZS Aotearoa received a minor injury that medical personnel recommended be checked by specialists.

 

A U.S. Navy Sikorsky MH60 Knighthawk helicopter based out of Guam responded to the call and made the 30 minute flight to the ship early on Sunday morning. Just 20 mins after touching down on Aotearoa’s flightdeck, the Knighthawk was back in the air and transferring our sailor to the Guam Naval Hospital.

 

After specialist medical attention ashore, the sailor is resting comfortably and in contact with friends and family in New Zealand. They will rejoin the ship when it’s alongside this week.

 

From initial notification of the incident to the helo mission planning and execution through to the professional hospitalisation treatment, the support received from the U.S. Navy was outstanding.

 

HMNZ Ships Aotearoa and Te Kaha will be conducting joint exercises with the U.S. Navy while on Task Group deployment over the coming weeks.