On Sunday 22 March 2020, an A400M Atlas was deployed to fly a critically ill patient from Gilbert Bain Hospital, Shetland to intensive care in Aberdeen.
Operated by LXX (70) Squadron, the aircraft departed RAF Brize Norton approximately 1430 hrs for Sumburgh Airport, the main airport serving Shetland in Scotland. On board the A400M was also personnel from Tactical Medical Wing’s Critical Care Air Support Team (CCAST).
Number LXX Squadron met the patient and staff from the Scottish Ambulance Service at Sumburgh Airport and made the one-hour flight to Aberdeen to enable the patient to receive further treatment.
Officer Commanding LXX Squadron, Wing Commander Lee Roberts said:
“I am extremely proud of the LXX Squadron personnel who supported this mission, the Atlas Force is on standby 24/7, 365 days a year to provide military assistance when and where required. We were out the door less than 3 hours after receiving this call, this was only made possible by the whole force enablers who worked exceptionally well together during these unprecedented times that we all face.”
Wing Commander Lee Roberts
Officer Commanding LXX Squadron
