Story ID: 
Western Air Ambulance Services Mark Anniversaries
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Intermountain Life Flight and Classic Air Medical have transported nearly 200,000 patients
Word Count: 232
Two U.S. helicopter air ambulance services are marking decades of service to their communities. Intermountain Life Flight (ILF) is celebrating its 45th anniversary and Classic Air Medical is commemorating its 35th.
Both are part of the Intermountain Health System, have served nearly 200,000 patients, and transport more than 11,000 patients annually. Together, they form the nation’s largest air ambulance service supporting not-for-profit healthcare, with 31 bases throughout the Mountain West and 56 aircraft.
ILF began service in 1978 with one helicopter at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City and has transported 118,756 patients by airplanes and helicopters more than 17.3 million miles. It is the only U.S. civilian air medical transport program authorized by the FAA to perform hoist rescues.
Today, ILF operates seven helicopters and three airplanes, including Cessna Citation and Bombardier Challenger jets. In addition to hoist rescues, ILF provides specialty medical transport services including neonatal, pediatric, high-risk obstetrics, mechanical circulatory support, and respiratory support.
Classic Air Medical joined Intermountain Health in 2021. It operates 22 helicopters and 10 fixed-wing aircraft from 24 bases across New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho.
“The longevity and reputation of these two trailblazing air medical programs shows Intermountain’s commitment to providing coordinated care as close to home as possible,” said Tony Henderson, CEO of Classic Air and executive director of medical transport services for Intermountain.