Air Methods has announced that the LifeNet of the Heartland program will be expanding into Sioux City later this year. The new base, LifeNet 1-4, will help expand access to lifesaving care across western Iowa, eastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota.

“We are excited to expand our industry-leading services into Sioux City,” said Air Methods Regional Sales Director Derek Strohman. “This move allows us to expand our service area while continuing to provide the life-saving care that our partners and their patients have come to expect.”

The base plans to operate an Airbus H130 aircraft, which is renowned for its exceptional reliability and minimal maintenance downtime. It will be fully equipped with the advanced medical equipment and medications required to function as a flying ICU. The industry-leading flight nurses and paramedics carry blood on board, allowing them to administer this lifesaving resource at a trauma scene or in flight.

As part of the Nebraska-Iowa ecosystem, the new base will join LifeNet rotor-wing bases in Columbus, Kearney, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha, and the StarCare base in Crete, as well as fixed-wing aircraft in North Platte. Air Methods is also partnering with Children’s Nebraska, adding an additional rotor-wing and fixed-wing aircraft in Nebraska, as well as Unity Point LifeFlight, MercyOne AirMed and the University of Iowa AirCare, adding another ten aircraft across the Hawkeye State.

“Being part of such a strong ecosystem gives our partners the peace of mind that no-matter how big the ask, we will be ready to respond,” said Strohman. “We want them to feel like with one call, they can get the help they need and get back to providing critical care until we arrive.”