Florida’s Monroe County has placed an order for three AW139s for its Trauma Star HEMS service. Trauma Star is a joint operation by the Monroe County Fire and Rescue and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, which provides air ambulance support across the Florida Keys. The new Leonardo aircraft, due for delivery between the end of 2024 and early 2025, are replacements for Trauma Star’s existing S-76 fleet.
“An extensive search for a replacement aircraft was made to update Trauma Star’s ageing fleet of Sikorsky S76 aircraft with a newer, manufacturer-supported aircraft. The goal was an aircraft that would increase operating cost efficiency and reduce downtime due to unscheduled maintenance. The AW139 is the only aircraft available that will meet Trauma Star’s mission profile, able to fly the distance, carry our payloads and utilize our current landing zones,” said Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay.
