Penn State Health Life Lion adds new helicopter
The newest Penn State Health Life Lion helicopter takes off from the helipad at the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Emergency Department.
Lancaster-based aircraft strengthens regional access to emergency and specialty care across central Pennsylvania
Penn State Health Life Lion Critical Care Transport has welcomed a new helicopter to its life-saving fleet, reinforcing the program’s commitment to providing safe, rapid critical care transport across central Pennsylvania and surrounding communities
August 6, 2026Penn State Health News
The newest aircraft will be stationed at Life Lion’s Lancaster base, within the program’s top referral county for both air and ground transports. The helicopter joins a fleet of two other Airbus H155 aircraft, part of the manufacturer’s Dauphin family of helicopters
With the arrival of the new aircraft, Life Lion operates three of the largest and fastest aeromedical helicopters in Pennsylvania. Each helicopter features a large interior cabin that accommodates advanced lifesaving equipment, specialty medical personnel and family members during transport. The aircraft can also transport additional clinical specialists, including neonatologists, respiratory therapists and perfusionists
Equipped with advanced avionics and instrument flight capabilities, the helicopters can safely operate in a wide range of conditions, including low visibility and high wind
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“Critical care transport is about more than getting a patient from one location to another,” said Dr. Chadd Nesbit, lead EMS physician and division chief for Life Lion. “Our teams provide intensive, evidence-based care from the moment they arrive at the patient’s side until they reach the appropriate specialty center. Adding this aircraft strengthens our ability to deliver that care safely and efficiently, giving more patients access to the advanced resources that can improve outcomes.”
This year, Life Lion celebrates 40 years of air medical transport. Since its first patient flight in 1986, the program has transported more than 45,000 patients. Life Lion flies approximately 1,200 air medical missions and completes about 900 critical care ground transports each year. Nearly half of all Life Lion missions involve pediatric or neonatal patients
“Life Lion has spent four decades serving Pennsylvanians during some of the most critical moments of their lives,” said Keith McMinn, senior director of Life Lion Emergency Services. “This aircraft helps ensure we can continue providing safe, high-quality critical care transport for patients when they need it most.”
Life Lion serves a large geographic region, providing access to trauma, stroke, cardiac, pediatric and neonatal specialty care, including direct access to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the region’s only Level I adult and pediatric trauma center
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