Life-Guard

All three Life-Guard aircraft are dual engine, IFR capable and NVG equipped to maximize safety and capability.

Founded in 1981 as the first air medical service in Virginia, Carilion Clinic Life-Guard operates three Airbus EC-135 air medical helicopters covering over 15,000 square miles, and responding to requests throughout Virginia and the bordering states. Founded in 1981 as the first air medical service in Virginia, Carilion Clinic Life-Guard operates three Airbus EC-135 air medical helicopters covering over 15,000 square miles, and responding to requests throughout Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. Carilion Clinic Life-Guard is a CAMTS accredited provider, and a partner of Med-Trans Corporation (owner / operator of aviation services).

02/13/2026

It’s !!! As we celebrate our 45th year of service, we thought it would be fun to share some photos from the past…

The Bell 206 Jet Ranger started the program off in 1981. This aircraft was configured with 1 pilot and 1 paramedic with capabilities for 1 patient. In less than one year, Roanoke Memorial Hospital assumed operations from the private businessmen and has been doing so as the Carilion Clinic ever since. The Bell 206 was replaced as the primary in 1984 and eventually sold in 1987.

02/07/2026

The FAA fined and suspended or revoked the certificates of multiple drone pilots in 2025 for alleged unsafe and unauthorized operations, including flights near major sporting events, emergency response activities, and in restricted airspace. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3O6VqBJ.

For more information on safe and legal drone operations, visit https://bit.ly/2x9yDKQ.

02/06/2026

In addition to celebrating Life-Guard’s 45th Anniversary yesterday, we were honored to recognize our incredible flight crew with Years of Service awards. We proudly celebrated team members marking at least 5, 10, 15, 20, and even 25 years of service.

We are truly blessed to work alongside so many passionate providers who love what they do and continue to serve our community with dedication and heart. 💙🚁

02/06/2026

Yes, yes—we know the social media “rules” about spacing out posts for optimal exposure 😉 but we’re just too excited not to keep sharing about our 45th Anniversary Celebration yesterday!

And don’t worry—we’ll be celebrating all year long.

Our success over the past 45 years is largely because of the incredible supporters who have stood by us along the way—and that includes YOU.

Speaking of supporters, a heartfelt thank you to our aviation partner, Med-Trans, and to our Vice President, Tim Auwarter, for all you do in support of our program and our mission. We truly couldn’t do this without you.

02/06/2026

Check out our annual VALUES AWARD WINNERS, recognized at our 45th Anniversary Celebration yesterday! Each honoree is provided a jacket with our Life-Guard logo as a small token of our appreciation. From left to right: Donnie McBrayer, Jason Chrisley, Jefferson Freed, Alex Wirt, John Gabel, and Kellie Lavine. Not pictured: Shane Wheeler, Amanda Testerman, Stephanie McKinney (ret), Miranda Landrum (ret), and Will Hodges.

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Shane, congrats on being recognized as the Annual CURIOSITY Values Award recipient for your work on the transition to Glidescopes.

Alex, Jason, and Amanda, congrats on being noted as the Annual COURAGE Values Award recipients for your efforts on transporting a critical OB patient, as recognized by the healthcare team at the sending facility.

John, Miranda, and flight follower Will, congrats on being recognized as the Annual COMMITMENT Values Award recipients for your efforts early on in the Field STEMI Alert process change. It is speculated that had it not been for the flight follower's adherence to the new early activation process and the exceptional care of the medical flight crew, this particular patient would not have survived, but instead was able to be discharged without any neurological deficits.

Donnie, congrats on being recognized as the Annual COMPASSION Values Award recipient for the time you spent learning about K9 Transport with Erlanger. Looking forward to the future!

Alex, Jefferson, Kellie, and Steph, congrats on being recognized as the Annual COLLABORATION Values Award recipients for the time you spent visiting AirBus and Stat Medevac as part of the H135 Configuration Team efforts.

02/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who wished us a Happy 45th Anniversary yesterday! We were grateful to spend time together reflecting on where we’ve been—and looking ahead to what’s next.

We know y’all love seeing photos of our aircraft (and so do we!), but we want to pause and recognize that the flight program we are today is only possible because of the people behind the mission—past and present pilots, aviation mechanics, flight paramedics, flight nurses, flight followers, our Neo-Peds team, leadership, and the countless supporters who have stood with us over the years.

Cheers to the next 45 years and beyond! 🚁✨

02/05/2026

If you see any of us, feel free to wish us a happy 45th birthday 😁

01/13/2026

This past week, Life-Guard had the opportunity to deliver two of our high-demand educational programs to EMS professionals in Alleghany County: Advanced Airway Management for BLS & ALS providers and Neo-Peds for EMS Professionals.

A huge thank you to our class sponsors for the invitation, to the outstanding turnout of motivated participants, and to everyone who kept us well-fed throughout the classes — your hospitality made a great experience even better!

Our hands-on airway course features SALAD mannequins along with swine tracheas, lungs, and hearts, giving providers realistic, high-fidelity training that bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world emergencies.

SALAD (Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination) mannequins are designed to simulate heavily contaminated airways by actively pumping fluid into the mouth and airway, allowing providers to practice suctioning, visualizing, and securing an airway in conditions that closely mimic vomiting, bleeding, and secretions during real emergencies.

These skill sets help both BLS and ALS clinicians build confidence, proficiency, and the ability to deliver truly life-saving airway care when it matters most

01/09/2026

Life-Guard 11 had a very special visitor today. This regular patient at CNRV reportedly loves our helicopter so much that his grandmother made him his very own flight suit! Thanks for visiting today, friend! Pictures shared with permission.

12/30/2025

As part of our investment in the future of health care, Life-Guard flight crew regularly participate in high school career days. Thank you, Carson, for speaking with the Bath County High School Health Careers class about Helicopter EMS, nursing, paramedicine, and the EMS profession as a whole—and for inspiring students through a realistic, hands-on demonstration of how to “Stop the Bleed.”

Address

431 McClanahan Street SW
Roanoke, VA
540-981-8731

Telephone

+18883777628

Website

http://www.carilionclinic.org/ccpt

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