Blog

VCU LifeEvac 5 opens in Virginia

Posted on by rwbuck

VCU Health | February 4, 2026 | South Hill, VA

VCU Health’s LifeEvac opened a new base at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) today, bringing around-the-clock emergency air transport to patients in Southside Virginia and strengthening access to critical care when every minute matters.

The new LifeEvac 5 base and helicopter expand VCU Medical Center’s emergency response aviation network and enhance capabilities throughout the region. Working in close partnership with local EMS and first responders, the helicopter will support rapid transit for patients facing life-threatening emergencies, ensuring faster access to advanced specialized care. 

The addition of LifeEvac 5 marks the fourth helicopter in the air medical fleet and represents a major step forward in CMH’s ongoing efforts to strengthen critical care services and move closer to achieving a Level III trauma center designation.

“Timing is extremely important in trauma care,” said Sheldon Barr, president of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. “Working towards a Level III trauma program means patients can receive critical treatment right here in our Southside community, with the support of family and friends, because healing happens best closer to home.” 

With the South Hill base now operational, LifeEvac can now more efficiently provide care across the commonwealth, decreasing delays in service and reducing wait times for medical emergencies. This expansion also directly addresses the unique challenges of rural health care by shortening critical transport times and extending advanced emergency services into underserved areas. 

The new aircraft is equipped with advanced life-saving technology typically found in an intensive care unit. The base will be staffed by flight nurses and flight paramedics who are trained to provide critical care for adults and children suffering from trauma and burn injuries, strokes, heart attacks, complications during childbirth and neurological emergencies, to name a few. 

“This new base marks a major step forward in our commitment to providing rapid, high-quality critical care to all of the communities we serve,” said Benjamin “Cody” Main, aviation outreach coordinator at VCU Health. “This base is more than an expansion — it’s a critical asset for the health and safety of southern Virginia. With this added capability, we’re improving access to life-saving care and ensuring patients can count on the additional support they deserve when every minute matters.” 

Photo and story from VCU Health social media release.

Geisinger Life Flight placing H135 into service

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Geisinger Medical Center | January 6, 2026 | Danville, PA


Big News from Geisinger Life Flight! 

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming delivery of our brand‑new Airbus H135 helicopter — the latest addition to our fleet and a major step forward in advancing critical care transport across our region.

 

The H135 is one of the most trusted air medical platforms in the world, and for good reason. It brings an exceptional blend of performance, safety, and technology, including:

State‑of‑the‑art computerized cockpit powered by Airbus’ Helionix® avionics suite, designed to reduce pilot workload and enhance situational awareness.

 
Advanced 4‑axis autopilot providing outstanding stability, in‑flight envelope protection, and unmatched safety levels — especially essential for HEMS operations.

Fully customized medical interior configured for rapid patient loading, treatment access, and life‑saving care while in flight — optimized specifically for helicopter emergency medical services.

Onboard liquid oxygen system, increasing our clinical capability and readiness for high‑acuity missions.
Impressive performance, including maximum speeds over 160 mph and excellent hover and hot‑and‑high capability, allowing us to reach patients faster and operate in more challenging environments.

Quiet, compact, and reliable, making it ideal for operations in and around busy communities. [airbus.com]

This aircraft reinforces our commitment to providing the safest, most advanced care when every minute counts. We can’t wait to put it to work for the communities we serve.

Stay tuned for photos, behind‑the‑scenes updates, and delivery day coverage! 

 
Photo and story from Geisinger Life Flight social media release.

Cooper Air Medical Services Celebrates 15 Years

Posted on by rwbuck

Cooper Health| December 4, 2025 | Camden, NJ

Cooper University Health Care’s Air Medical Services is celebrating its 15th anniversary this month, marking a decade and a half of delivering rapid, lifesaving emergency transport and critical-care response for communities across South Jersey.  The Air Medical Services team supports southern New Jersey’s leading academic health system and only Level 1 Trauma Center — and the busiest  in the region.

Launched on December 4, 2010, Cooper Air Medical Services has become an essential extension of Cooper’s regional trauma and emergency care system. Over the past 15 years, Cooper Air crews have responded to thousands of emergencies, providing swift transport for trauma patients, supporting inter-facility transfers, and ensuring critically ill and injured patients receive timely access to advanced care.

“Cooper Air Medical Services is more than just the transport of patients, it’s Cooper’s promise to the communities we serve to provide the highest level of trauma and specialty care available in South Jersey,” said George E. Norcross III, chairman of the Cooper University Health Care Board of Trustees. “We are very grateful to Cooper’s Air Medical Services team for 15 years of saving lives and providing rapid response and medical expertise that is not offered anywhere else in the region.”

“Cooper Air Medical Services plays a vital role in linking communities throughout our region directly to Cooper’s Level I Trauma Center and our nationally recognized specialists,” said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-CEO of Cooper. “Every minute matters in an emergency, and for 15 years this team has delivered exceptional care with unmatched skill and dedication.”

“Providing lifesaving academic medicine to residents across South Jersey  is both an honor and a profound responsibility,” said Kevin O’Dowd, JD, co-CEO of Cooper. “The entire Cooper team is grateful for the extraordinary professionals who make up Cooper Air Medical Services and their steadfast commitment to saving lives.”

The helicopter fleet includes Cooper 1 and Cooper 2, both EC135 Eurocopters owned and operated by Cooper’s partner for the past 10 years, Metro Aviation, Inc.  Metro’s expert pilots, specialized mechanics, and meticulously maintained aircraft help drive the success of Cooper’s air medical program.

Metro’s industry-leading safety record remains central to ensuring the safest possible transport for patients. Both Cooper 1 and Cooper 2 are equipped with advanced GPS navigation, weather radar, aircraft collision-avoidance systems, night-vision capability, and a comprehensive satellite-based, real-time in-flight data monitoring and communication suite to support the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

Each flight is staffed by Cooper’s highly trained team of flight nurses and flight paramedics, all nationally certified in their respective specialties, including certified flight registered nurse (CFRN) and flight paramedic (FP-C) certification.

“For 15 years, our crews have responded at a moment’s notice—day or night—to deliver critical care when it matters most,” said Rick Rohrbach, MBA, BSN, RN, CFRN, CCRN, MICP, assistant vice president, EMS and Air Transport Operations at Cooper. “Patients and families can trust that Cooper Air Medical Services will always provide expert, compassionate care.”

As Cooper marks this milestone anniversary, the health system celebrates the dedication of its Air Medical Services team and its ongoing mission to expand access to lifesaving care throughout the region.

Photo and story from Cooper Health press release.

Cincinnati Children’s launching helicopter transport

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Cincinnati Children’s Hospital | December 3, 2025 | Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati Children’s will begin using a dedicated helicopter transport service to help kids with critical health needs access one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals.

“Having a dedicated helicopter service will help us expedite the safe transfer of hundreds of neonatal and pediatric patients from outlying areas,” said Rich Falcone, MD, a pediatric surgeon who serves as the health system’s chief of staff. “The time it takes to transport kids from distant parts of Ohio or nearby states will be cut in half or more with this new service, and specialized care will begin as soon as our team arrives.”

Denver-based Air Methods, which owns and operates medical transport helicopters nationwide, will provide the aircraft and pilot. The Airbus Helicopters model EC145, which includes night-vision capability, has a cruising speed of over 150 miles per hour. The aircraft will have a roundtrip range of 300 miles from Cincinnati Children’s Burnet Campus, though longer distances are possible in cases that involve refueling.

“We’re honored to partner with Cincinnati Children’s on a dedicated helicopter that will help more pediatric patients reach the exceptional, time-critical care they deserve,” said Tony Raymond, Air Methods’ senior vice president of major accounts. “Together, we’re combining Air Methods’ 45 years of experience delivering lifesaving care at more than 300 bases across 48 states with Cincinnati Children’s renowned clinical expertise to provide the region with a highly equipped, expertly staffed aircraft that can truly make the difference between minutes lost and lives saved.”

The aircraft will be branded with Cincinnati Children’s logo and colors. In alignment with its focus on children, the health system is holding a contest to choose a creative and original name for the helicopter. Participation is open to children 17 or younger. The winner and finalists will be invited to attend an official unveiling event. For contest rules and how to enter, visit Helicopter Naming Contest.

Kids and families from all 50 states travel to Cincinnati Children’s for care every year, including by airplane or helicopter. Cincinnati Children’s has a helipad atop the Critical Care Building at the Burnet Campus in Avondale and another at the health system’s Liberty Campus in Butler County.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen a steadily increasing volume of requests for air medical transport to Cincinnati Children’s for critically ill patients from hospitals across the region,” said Kelly Besl, RN, clinical director of Cincinnati Children’s Critical Care Transport Team. “A dedicated helicopter means we can bring Cincinnati Children’s expertise directly to the bedside and ensure safe, efficient transport to a higher level of care.”

The helicopter crew will include a critical care registered nurse and a respiratory therapist, both employees of Cincinnati Children’s. A physician will join when needed due to patient acuity. In all cases, physicians with Cincinnati Children’s provide direction while patients are transported.

Flights are to begin in February 2026. They will be coordinated by the Transport Team at the Cincinnati Children’s Access Hub, which recently opened on the Burnet Campus to optimize collaboration, capacity and patient flow for the health system’s three hospitals and its more than 50 other sites of care.

The Access Hub is staffed by about 100 Cincinnati Children’s employees, including the Critical Care Transport Team, the Admission and Transfer Center, Home Care and Remote Patient Monitoring. The 7,500-square-foot Access Hub, which resembles NASA Mission Control, is equipped with a 29-foot-wide wall of LED video screens that show patient flow as well as ambulance bays and the two helipads.

Air Methods will transport patients to Cincinnati Children’s from other health systems in the region. The helicopter service won’t involve emergency response to local traffic accidents or other incidents, which can be handled by other air transport firms or ground ambulances.

Photo and story from Cincinnati Children’s Press Release.

Air Methods renews partnership with Temple Health

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Air Methods | November 25, 2025 

Air Methods has renewed its partnership with Temple Health to support Temple MedFlight, which provides 24/7 critical care transport across Eastern PA, NJ, DE, NY, MD, and the DC Metro area.

Together, we combine Air Methods’ aviation expertise with Temple Health’s skilled clinical teams to deliver rapid, ICU-level care in the air and help patients get the care they need, exactly when they need it most.

Photo and story from Air Methods social media release.

STAT MedEvac 19 to open in Muncy, PA

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UPMC STAT MedEvac | November 18, 2025 | Muncy, PA

UPMC and STAT MedEvac are deepening their commitment to Lycoming County and all of northcentral Pennsylvania by establishing a new critical care transport base at UPMC Muncy. STAT MedEvac, the nation’s largest hospital operated and dispatched air-medical transport system, will have a dedicated helicopter and response team at the newly constructed base on the hospital’s campus expanding rapid access to life-saving care across the region.

“This marks a transformative step in our commitment to saving lives,” said Patti Jackson-Gehris, market president, UPMC North Central Pa., and president, UPMC Williamsport. “With strong EMS partners like Susquehanna Regional EMS and our Level II Trauma Center at UPMC Williamsport, the only missing piece has been a dedicated critical care helicopter — until now.”

Rural communities face unique challenges in emergency response, including long distances, limited infrastructure, and difficult terrain. Helicopter transport helps overcome these barriers, delivering advanced care during the critical “golden hour” following traumatic injury.

“Having a dedicated helicopter in our region provides added resources for our teams, especially when dealing with emergencies in our rural communities and long-distance interfacility transfers,” said Tony Bixby, chief, Susquehanna Regional EMS, and director, Pre-Hospital Services, UPMC in North Central Pa. “It means faster access to trauma care, stroke centers, and cardiac hospitals — especially for patients in remote areas. This will save lives and improve outcomes for countless families in our communities.”

Each helicopter is staffed by a pilot, flight nurse, and paramedic, and equipped with advanced medical technology to begin critical care immediately. Helicopter EMS transport from the scene has been associated with improved survival when compared with ground emergency medical services for trauma patients, and this has made it an integral component of modern trauma systems. Up to 27% of the US population relies on helicopter EMS transport to reach a trauma center within the golden hour, especially in rural areas where the nearest trauma center is remote.

“Adding a helicopter and flight crew to the area will dramatically enhance our emergency response network,” said Jim Houser, president, UPMC’s Center for Emergency Medicine (CEM) of Western Pennsylvania. “Our teams work closely with the local county 911 centers and EMS agencies to ensure rapid deployment when air transport is needed. We’re always ready to deliver the highest level of care when every second counts and are excited to work with Susquehanna Regional EMS and our regional public safety partners.”

With this new base site, STAT MedEvac’s operations expand to nineteen helicopter base sites in Pennsylvania and neighboring states.

STAT MedEvac is a critical care transport system and is the clinical arm of UPMC’s CEM of Western Pennsylvania. The Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization wholly owned by UPMC and directed by the following hospitals; UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hamot, UPMC Altoona, and UPMC Mercy.

Photo and story from UPMC Press Release.

WellFlight 4-90 In Lebanon, PA closes

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WellFlight| November 1, 2025 | Lebanon, PA

WellFlight 4-90, based in Lebanon, PA closed on October 15, 2025. WellFlight 4-90 started flight operations in the summer of 2023 out of Stevens, PA and then relocated to Lebanon. Operating with N410W, the aircraft had previously been in service as LVHN MedEvac 1 (N811LV) in Kutztown, PA.

After spending two weeks at the Air Methods service center in Quakertown, PA, N410W is now in Sioux City, Iowa. Looks like she is joining the new Air methods/ LifeNet program at their soon to be open LifeNet 1-4 base.

Photo by Eric Anstine.

Bobby King – 2025 NEMSPA Pilot of the Year

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NEMSPA| October 28, 2025 | Des Moines, Iowa

Congratulations to our 2025 NEMSPA Pilot of the Year — Robert “Bobby” King! 🎉

Bobby exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, leadership, and dedication in the air medical community. His commitment to safety, teamwork, and excellence continues to set the bar for pilots across our industry.
Join us in celebrating Bobby for this well-deserved recognition.

Photo and story from NEMSPA Facebook Feed.

Ed Holmes Obituary

Posted on by rwbuck

Edward Holmes| October 13, 2025 | Norfolk, VA

Saddened to hear that Edward Holmes III has passed. Ed was a pioneer of air medical helicopter operations. First with Sentera Nightingale and later with UPenn PennStar. Ed was an early contributor to alecbuck.com, exchanged many informative emails with him. God Speed. Will post the obituary below…..

Edward Marion Holmes III, father, grandfather, hospital administrator, U.S. Navy veteran, and pioneer of air-medical transport, died peacefully on October 13, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. He was 88.

Born December 17, 1936, Ed dedicated his life to service, first to his country and later to patients whose lives were saved through his visionary leadership in emergency medical transport.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and a Master of Hospital Administration from the Medical College of Virginia. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy as a bombardier-navigator on an A3-D Skywarrior, serving aboard the USS Forrestal with Heavy Attack Squadron 5, the “Savage Sons.” His years at sea shaped his discipline, sense of duty, and lifelong fascination with aviation.

In 1981, while serving as Administrator of Sentara Leigh Memorial Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, Ed conceived and launched the Nightingale Air Ambulance, the region’s first hospital-based medical helicopter program. Nightingale completed its first mission in 1982 and has since flown tens of thousands of patients throughout Hampton Roads and beyond. The program remains a cornerstone of regional critical-care transport today.

Ed later brought his expertise to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, where he established the PennSTAR Air Ambulance program, expanding access to rapid, high-quality emergency care. His pioneering work in both programs transformed hospital-based emergency response and continues to save lives every day.

Colleagues remember Ed as an intelligent, determined, and principled leader who balanced discipline with empathy. Family and friends will remember his curiosity, optimism, and deep devotion to those he loved most. A proud member of the Order of Late Developing Former Aviation Resource Types—better known as O.L.D. F.A.R.T.—Ed delighted in sharing the title with everyone he met, always earning laughter and the occasional puzzled look. He never met a stranger and never hesitated to help someone in need. Ed had a gift for seeing the good in people and often reached out to those facing hard times, quietly changing lives through his kindness, generosity, and belief in second chances.

Ed is survived by his children, Sarah Toy Holmes Hande and Edward “Ted” Marion Holmes IV; his former wife and mother of his children, Toy Shreeves Scott; his children-in-law, Robert Jensen Hande and Leah Barbee Holmes; and three grandchildren, Anna, Mary, and Henry. He is also survived by his sister, Daily Walsh Stern.