Australian Helicopters and Flying Doctor on standby to secure soldier safety

Australian Helicopters Pty Ltd (AHPL) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) have joined forces to provide emergency medical evacuation during Australian Army training exercises in remote areas.

The partnership between the two organisations will ensure that Australian soldiers receive the best possible care and support, according to AHPL managing director Scott Swift.

Under a multi-million dollar contract with the Australian Army, the AHPL/RFDS team was selected from a field of ‘world class’ candidates to be on hand during all army training exercises to evacuate soldiers in case of accident or emergency.

AHPL/RFDS will provide aeromedical evacuation in six locations across the continent, including Shoalwater Bay and Cape York in Queensland, Arnhem Land Coast and Mount Bundey in the Northern Territory, Cultana in South Australia and the Pilbara and Kimberley Region in Western Australia.

“The Army can have up to 25,000 people in training at any one time,” Swift said.

“Having two highly qualified organisations on hand to support these training exercises is a cost-effective way of providing the highest standard of care for the people who defend our nation.”

The partnership, a first between the two organisations, brings together the extensive industry experience of one of the largest and most respected helicopter operators in the industry today, with the medical expertise of the RFDS, which has provided aeromedical evacuations in challenging environments for 85 years.

RFDS (Queensland Section) chief executive officer Nino Di Marco said that the Flying Doctor offered the expertise in critical care, clinical governance and high standards required by AHPL and the Australian Army, along with the nation-wide reach needed to service the remote training locations.

“RFDS medical personnel and the AHPL pilots and crew will be embedded with army units during the training exercises, so we’ll be able to share knowledge and experience,” he said.

“Our two organisations are looking forward to being able to support the Australian Army and ensure the sustainability of training exercises across Australia in preparation for future deployments.”