By Christopher Nelson, communications director, University of Utah Communications

The University of Utah’s AirMed program recently marked its 40th anniversary with a celebration at its home on the University of Utah Hospital helipad.

Established in 1978, the flight service has transported more than 75,000 patients and flown more than 7 million miles. In addition to the campus helipad, AirMed has bases across Utah in Layton, Tooele, Park City and Nephi, and one in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

The program serves one of the largest geographical areas of any medical flight program in the country and routinely transports patients from across Utah and surrounding states. Its helicopters have a range of 160 miles and its airplanes can go as far as 1,700 miles to pick up patients and bring them to University of Utah Hospital.

AirMed crews typically include a pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic. In total, the program employs 49 flight medics, 32 flight nurses, 13 perinatal nurses, 14 flight coordinators, 37 pilots and 13 mechanics

Watch a recap of the 40th anniversary celebration and see the helicopters in action below.