Airlines

40 Years of Air Medical Transport: Exploring the History of Guardian Flight





Guardian Flight is an air medical transport service that operates in the United States. Founded in 1979, Guardian Flight has provided air medical transport services to rural parts of Alaska and the lower 48 states. Based in Anchorage, Alaska, Guardian Flight's fleet of medical transport aircraft are operated by experienced and certified pilots, flight nurses, and medical personnel.

The history of Guardian Flight began in 1979 when the founder, Steve DeWitt, established the company as a small air taxi service in Anchorage, Alaska. DeWitt was an experienced pilot with a passion for flying and a desire to provide a service for rural communities in Alaska and the lower 48 states. In the early days, Guardian Flight operated a single Cessna 206 aircraft and provided general aviation services such as charters, sightseeing tours, and cargo services.

In the early 1980s, Guardian Flight began to focus more on providing air medical transport services for patients in rural Alaska and the lower 48 states. In 1984, Guardian Flight obtained its first Learjet, which enabled the company to provide air medical transport services to higher altitudes and longer distances. By the late 1980s, the company had grown to a fleet of seven aircraft and two permanent bases in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska.

In 1996, Guardian Flight became the first air medical transport service in Alaska to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). This accreditation was a major milestone for the company and enabled Guardian Flight to provide higher quality air medical transport services to its customers.





In 2002, Guardian Flight opened its first permanent base outside of Alaska in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was an important milestone for the company as it enabled Guardian Flight to expand its services to customers in the lower 48 states.

In 2010, Guardian Flight opened its first permanent base in the lower 48 states outside of Utah in Billings, Montana. This was a major milestone for the company as it enabled Guardian Flight to provide air medical transport services to customers in Montana, Wyoming, and other nearby states.

In 2011, Guardian Flight acquired its first helicopter, a Bell 407 model. This enabled Guardian Flight to provide air medical transport services to customers that required helicopter services.

In 2014, Guardian Flight opened its first permanent base in California in Oakland. This was a major milestone for the company as it enabled Guardian Flight to provide air medical transport services to customers across the entire western United States.





Throughout its history, Guardian Flight has had a strong commitment to safety and customer service. The company has implemented a number of safety initiatives and has an excellent safety record. In addition, Guardian Flight is dedicated to providing high quality air medical transport services to its customers.

In 2019, Guardian Flight celebrated its 40th anniversary. After four decades of providing air medical transport services, Guardian Flight is a well-established and respected air medical transportation provider in the United States. The company continues to provide air medical transport services to rural areas in Alaska and the lower 48 states and is dedicated to providing the highest quality services to its customers.