Mercy Flights has opened a helicopter air base at Ashland Municipal Airport-Sumner Parker Field as the organisation expands emergency medical coverage across southern Oregon and parts of northern California.

The air medical provider marked the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the Ashland Chamber of Commerce on April 30, 2026.

Mercy Flights says the Ashland base will reduce response times, improve reliability during challenging weather conditions and increase operational capacity across the region.

Although Medford remains the organisation’s primary operating base, the Ashland facility strengthens regional coverage and supports more consistent access to helicopter emergency medical transport for surrounding communities.

“The new base represents our continued commitment to the communities we serve,” says Sheila Clough, chief executive officer at Mercy Flights. “By positioning resources closer to patients and leveraging Ashland’s geographic advantages, we’re improving access to critical care when and where it’s needed most.”