Scottish secretary Alister Jack has praised the role of the military during the coronavirus outbreak.
It comes after three patients were airlifted from the islands in recent days, from Orkney and Shetland, to hospitals in Glasgow and Aberdeen – with the latest taking place on Monday.
A spokesman for the Royal Air Force confirmed that an A400 Atlas from RAF Brize Norton was deployed on Monday morning to airlift a patient from Shetland to Aberdeen, landing on Monday afternoon.
The condition of the patient remains unclear.
As well as the airlifts, military personnel are supporting the creation of the NHS Louisa Jordan hospital at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow, as well as supporting the Scottish Government from its emergency coordination centre in Edinburgh and having officers based within 14 of Scotland’s health boards.
Jack said: “On behalf of the whole of Scotland, I would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the UK’s armed forces for their work in supporting the country’s efforts to tackle coronavirus.
“In Scotland the military is providing both the Scottish Government and the NHS with additional specialist skills and expertise.
“Our armed forces’ personnel are doing a fantastic job, showing commitment and dedication, at this challenging time. We are incredibly grateful to them.”
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