Albuquerque, New Mexico-headquartered Part 135 operator CSI Aviation is continuing its growth in Texas with an official groundbreaking ceremony for a new hangar that will support its medical flight operations. The event was organised by the City of Killeen and the Killeen - Fort Hood Regional airport along with key stakeholders.

The new hangar will have 16,000 sq ft of space and will provide a centralised maintenance facility and air ambulance base. Construction begins mid December and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021.Speeches were made by Killeen mayor Jose Segarra, city manager Kent Cagle, congressman Roger Williams and Greater Killen Chamber president John Crutchfield as to the importance of the service to central Texas. State representative Brad Buckley and a representative of congressman John Carter were also in attendance along with airport director Mike Wilson. CSI Aviation's president William Collins, also a retired Marine general, spoke on behalf of the company and its increasing presence in the air ambulance industry in Texas.

The company is currently supporting the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (TX EMTF) by helping move COVID-19 patients out of El Paso, Texas. The EMTF is a state-funded first responder programme designed to assist with emergencies such as COVID patient movements.

The TX EMTF rallies members from local EMS and fire departments, public and private healthcare organisations, regional coalitions and state and local government personnel and assets to assist in medical disaster response. CSI, operating out of its base in Killeen, is part of the Air Medical Strike team and provides medical transportation for critical and large-scale patient movement.

Working with a fleet of Beechcraft King Airs medically configured into mobile ICUs, CSI utilises its 24/7 response capabilities and a highly trained in-flight medical crew to transport patients out of overcrowded hospitals. After every flight, the aircraft's interior undergoes a rigorous decontamination process to protect pilots, medical and maintenance staff.