Hmmmmmm....wonder what the sailor's injuries were that could not be handled aboard Bataan? I wonder if there were any additional medical teams embarked as well in addition to the ship's medical staff?
It does make sense to get an injured person ashore for the best treatment possible.....but in the presence of expert care and top notch facilities it is more a transport mission than a life saving flight. Granted the
PR effect is nowhere as good if you call it what it was.
The Wasp class also has more extensive hospital facilities than
earlier assault ships. In fact, its 600 bed hospital is second only in size
and capability to the Navy's hospital ships
LHAs and LHDs can carry nearly 2,000 Marines. After embarking the Marines ashore, these ships then serve as a primary casualty receiving station.
.LHDs have the largest medical capability of any amphibious ship currently in use. LHDs are capable of receiving casualties from helicopter and waterborne craft and are designed to function as primary CRTSs in amphibious operations.
In addition to the organic medical assets of the LHD/LHA, Fleet Surgical Teams are often deployed, enhancing the ship's medical capabilities.
LHD Organic Medical Assets
LHD Medical Facilities
6 Operating Rooms
17 ICU Beds
47 Ward Beds
60 Overflow beds
Ancillary:
Lab............ yes
X-ray......... yes
Blood Bank yes
LHD Medical Manning
2 Medical Corps
1 Dental Corps
0 Nurse Corps
0 Anesthesia Provider
1 Med. Service Corps
18 Hospital Corpsmen
4 Dental Technicians
0 Dental Operations