Life Force Air Medical, an aeromedical service programme by Erlanger Health System, is upgrading its fleet of critical care helicopters with the addition of a new Airbus EC145e aircraft. It will be the first EC145e in the programme's history and will replace the Life Force 1 H135 aircraft at its Cleveland Regional Jetport base in Tennessee.

The new EC145e will allow Life Force to fly greater distances and provide transport to patients in need of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) as well as balloon pumps for patients who require cardiovascular support. The aircraft is equipped with Metro Aviation's EMS and Options STC as well as the Stryker Performance Pro Gurney that allows the aircraft gurney to interface with ground units that have the Stryker Power load system installed.

“Prior to the pandemic, and certainly during it, we recognised a need to have the ability to transport critical care patients requiring more specialised equipment and additional personnel,” says senior director Robbie Tester. “Our new EC145e will allow us to accomplish these highly specialised missions safely and effectively.”

The aircraft will be operated by Med-Trans Corporation.