APPLE VALLEY, CA – Dec. 30, 2024 – The Mercy Air program recently marked 35 years of providing life-saving air medical care throughout Nevada and California. To celebrate this milestone, Mercy Air 2, 22, 66, and H285 (based in Victorville, Hesperia, Barstow, and Big Bear) invited first responders, partners, and requestors to join them in commemorating this achievement at the Apple Valley Airport on Dec. 14. Among those attending the celebration was former pediatric patient Luke Haas and his family, who reunited with the air medical team that helped save his life more than two years ago.
“Thank you for being first responders,” said Luke’s mother, Sommer Haas, as she addressed Flight Paramedic Ken Sexton and Flight Nurse Michael Lentz. “We’re grateful to have this opportunity to reunite with you and thank you for the care you provided Luke that day.”
Luke suffered a serious spinal cord injury in 2022 after crashing his bike. After ground first responders assessed the situation, they determined Luke needed urgent, higher-level care and transported him to the Mercy Air 22 base in Hesperia. The Mercy Air critical care team flew Luke to a level l trauma hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with C2 and C4 spinal injuries, causing paralysis from the neck down. Despite the challenges he faces, Luke, now 15, continues to show incredible strength and determination.
“It was great to be able to share our anniversary with our community and partners, and what made it even more special was to reunite with Luke,” said Sexton.
The Mercy Air program has multiple locations throughout Nevada and California, four of which are based in the High Desert region—Victorville, Hesperia, Barstow, and Big Bear. The program has been a crucial part of the local healthcare system. The program provides critical care for patients through 911 calls, requests from first responder agencies, and interfacility transfers. Each flight crew is composed of a seasoned pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic, all equipped to stabilize and transport patients swiftly and efficiently. The team is also equipped to administer blood during flights, enhancing patient outcomes.
“We have a great working relationship with Mercy Air,” said Apple Valley Fire Protection Captain Mark Milson, highlighting Mercy Air’s success in building strong partnerships with local agencies. “We were happy to take part in Mercy Air’s 35th anniversary.”
Since its inception in 1989, Mercy Air has expanded throughout California and Nevada, offering critical care to underserved rural areas without requiring memberships. The program’s dedication to advanced equipment and highly trained crews ensures that it will continue to make a significant impact on the community for years to come.
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