Lutheran Air celebrated a milestone of 10,000 patient flights since the air ambulance program began serving the region nearly two decades ago.

Lutheran Air I, its flight crew and several longtime crew members were recognized by Lutheran Health Network and Lutheran Hospital leadership for reaching the momentous occasion on the hospital helipad Monday.

“The Lutheran Air program has led to a significant impact in the life-saving care and transport of patients throughout the region in the past 18 years,” said Scot Tuttle, executive director of Lutheran Air, Ground & EMS. “We are proud of the dedication and expertise of our paramedics, nurses, pilots, mechanics and dispatchers, which has allowed us to provide rapid care and transport of more than 10,000 cardiac, trauma, burn, stroke and critically ill patients ranging from our youngest neonatal and pediatric patients all the way up to our oldest adults.”

The 10,000th patient flight was officially completed by the crew in the evening hours of June 22 – 18 years, one month and ten days after the first Lutheran Air flight was completed on May 13, 2004.

The Lutheran Air flight program is based at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne and operates three Airbus H130 aircraft strategically positioned at bases at Portland Municipal Airport, Wabash Municipal Airport and Starke County Airport to optimize regional service area within a radius of 150 miles from each.

Lutheran Air helicopters are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with licensed and/or board-certified crew that includes a pilot, nurse and paramedic. Crew members are certified in advanced cardiac, trauma life support and neonatal resuscitation and provide air ambulance services focused on safety, quality, and speed for all critically ill or injured patients.

Lutheran Air is a member of the Association of Air Medical Services and adheres to all safety guidelines including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and regulations.