At 31 HEMS bases in Germany and Austria DRF Luftrettung is operating helicopters for emergency rescue and the transport of intensive care patients between clinics, at eight HEMS bases 24/7. In addition to that, DRF Luftrettung operates ambulance aircraft with specialized crews for worldwide repatriations.

From January to June 2016 DRF Luftrettung was called 19,248 times to rescue missions. On average the red and white helicopters took off to 100 missions every day. DRF Luftrettung was very frequently alerted after traffic and leisure accidents. Regularly their emergency physicians and paramedics took care of patients with acute coronary syndromes and strokes. The specialisation of hospitals had a noticeable effect, too: every third emergency patient had to be flown to a specialised hospital. At its two HEMS bases in Austria rescue missions in mountainous areas were frequent. The 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 additionally based at Güttin (isle of Rügen) to provide fast emergency service for offshore-operations in the Baltic Sea.

The Operation-Center of DRF Luftrettung at the airport Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden ensures the airworthiness of their own ambulance aircraft and helicopter fleet around the clock, 365 days a year. More than 80 engineers are on duty for DRF Luftrettung. The department IASS (International Aviation Sales & Service) offers the whole range of services of DRF Luftrettung to private, commercial and official aviation operators. National and international clients benefit not only from the extensive expertise in air rescue and from the performance of the technical Service Center of DRF Luftrettung with their own Design Organization but also from flight operation trainings.

Within Germany DRF Luftrettung is most experienced in 24-hour flight operation. 2015 DRF Luftrettung was launch customer of the new H145. This helicopter is excellently suited for 24-hour air rescue missions thanks to its performance capability and the Fenestron. Currently DRF Luftrettung operates five H 145, more will be acquired.