The German ADAC air rescue Christoph 31, stationed in Steglitz, Berlin, will be stood down after almost four decades and will retire from service at the end of 2025.

Christoph 31 completed nearly 90,000 missions and responded to 3,800 alarms annually during peak times in and around Berlin.

Prof. Dr. Karsten Homrighausen, Fire Director of the Berlin Frie Service said “With the emergency service of Christoph 31, a piece of Berlin history ends." Over nearly four decades, it represented high readiness, professional excellence and reliable cooperation between the ADAC Air Rescue and Berlin Fire Brigade.”

On the 31st December 2025, Christoph 31 will start its final deployment when its concession ends and the DRF Luftrettung air rescue takes over the station.

The Berlin helicopter rescue service was launched during the Cold War through a collaboration between the Berlin Senate, Charité hospital, the US city command and ADAC Air Rescue.

The ADAC rescue helicopter began its service in 1987, when the Berlin Wall was still standing and Berlin was still politically divided, so the first helicopter was stationed at Tempelhof Airport with an aircraft registered under the US flag and flown by American pilots.

In 1992, they received a German registered BO105 CBS-2, D-HEIM, with the black lettering of the ADAC. In 2002 Christoph 31 transferred a new home at what is now the Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, the BO105 was later replaced by an EC135, which in turn was later replaced in 2020 by an H135.

Prof. Martin E. Kreis, Board Member for Patient Care at Charité University Medicine Berlin said “When ‘Christoph 31’ began its work in a divided Berlin in 1987, it was an expression of medical cooperation and innovation. For decades, the rescue helicopter was a reliable component of the Charité's regional emergency care system and made a significant contribution to patient safety. We thank ADAC Air Rescue and the many employees who have been part of the crew over the decades for their outstanding cooperation and bid farewell to an important chapter in Berlin's air rescue history.”

The ADAC Air Rescue are planning on entering the tender in 20230 when it is due to be re-tendered.