German air ambulance operator DRF Luftrettung is now averaging 100 rescue missions every day from 21 HEMS bases in Germany and Austria. The company transports intensive care patients between clinics and repatriates patients worldwide.

In 2016 it was called 38,023 times, and crews of its ambulance aircraft took care of 198 patients in 46 countries in the previous year. In 2016 DRF Luftrettung was frequently alerted following traffic and leisure accidents. Approximately one fifth of emergency patients had suffered a stroke or an acute coronary syndrome, while the Austrian bases made regular visits to mountainous areas for ski injuries. Helicopters based in Tyrol and Carinthia are equipped with a cable winch, which is essential for rescue operations in alpine terrain. A specially equipped offshore helicopter is based at Güttin (isle of Rügen) to provide fast emergency service for offshore operations in the Baltic Sea.

The company's operations centre is located at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airport and 100 engineers are on duty each day.

The air rescue organisation uses night vision googles and currently deploys seven H145s, with more deliveries anticipated this year.