New Air Medical Program Provides Southeastern Idaho Faster Access to Healthcare
4.2.2026
Global Medical Response and Portneuf Medical Center expand access to advanced air medical transport for the region.
Global Medical Response (GMR) and Portneuf Medical Center announced this week a new strategic partnership to provide emergency air medical services that will serve southeastern Idaho and the surrounding region. Along with this partnership, GMR and Portneuf are offering a unique opportunity for local youth to help name the helicopter that will soon take flight. The new program will expand access to advanced medical care in an area where much of the state is rural, and timely transportation can be limited.
“This partnership represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening emergency and critical care for our entire region,” said Nate Carter, CEO of Portneuf Health. “By uniting exceptional clinical expertise, dedicated caregivers, and advanced technology, we can deliver ICU and NICU level care when and where it’s needed most, which means saving lives and positively impacting families across southeast Idaho.”
The program brings together two GMR air services—Guardian Flight and Med Trans Corporation— operating as Portneuf Air Rescue (PAR) and adds a new Airbus H130 helicopter to serve the region. The helicopter is configured for neonatal intensive care and will carry lifesaving blood products for the most critical trauma patients, as well as the ability to fly at night, helping crews respond to emergencies across a wide area.
To ensure uninterrupted service at launch, Portneuf Air Rescue will initially operate using a GMR H130 helicopter.
Community Helicopter Naming Contest
As part of the launch, GMR and Portneuf Medical Center are inviting youth age 17 and younger to participate in a helicopter naming contest, offering the community a role in welcoming the aircraft into service.
“Partnering with Portneuf Medical Center and our community is truly meaningful, as this helicopter will serve as a vital asset for everyone in the region,” said Matt Strauss, Regional Director for GMR. “This helicopter is here for our friends, families and neighbors as an integral part of the area’s emergency response—it's fitting that one of our younger community members will help name it, underscoring its role as a resource available to all our families, neighbors, and residents."
The contest will remain open until 11:59 p.m. MST on April 21, 2026, with the winning name announced during a special unveiling event when the helicopter officially enters service. Details on eligibility and submissions are available at Portneuf.org/helicopter.
“This partnership represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening emergency and critical care for our entire region,” said Nate Carter, CEO of Portneuf Health. “By uniting exceptional clinical expertise, dedicated caregivers, and advanced technology, we can deliver ICU and NICU level care when and where it’s needed most, which means saving lives and positively impacting families across southeast Idaho.”
The program brings together two GMR air services—Guardian Flight and Med Trans Corporation— operating as Portneuf Air Rescue (PAR) and adds a new Airbus H130 helicopter to serve the region. The helicopter is configured for neonatal intensive care and will carry lifesaving blood products for the most critical trauma patients, as well as the ability to fly at night, helping crews respond to emergencies across a wide area.
To ensure uninterrupted service at launch, Portneuf Air Rescue will initially operate using a GMR H130 helicopter.
Community Helicopter Naming Contest
As part of the launch, GMR and Portneuf Medical Center are inviting youth age 17 and younger to participate in a helicopter naming contest, offering the community a role in welcoming the aircraft into service.
“Partnering with Portneuf Medical Center and our community is truly meaningful, as this helicopter will serve as a vital asset for everyone in the region,” said Matt Strauss, Regional Director for GMR. “This helicopter is here for our friends, families and neighbors as an integral part of the area’s emergency response—it's fitting that one of our younger community members will help name it, underscoring its role as a resource available to all our families, neighbors, and residents."
The contest will remain open until 11:59 p.m. MST on April 21, 2026, with the winning name announced during a special unveiling event when the helicopter officially enters service. Details on eligibility and submissions are available at Portneuf.org/helicopter.
