Life Force, a Med-Trans Corp. and Erlanger Health System partnership, has added an Airbus Helicopters H135 to its fleet, Med-Trans Corp. said. The new twin-engine aircraft is to be based in Andrews, North Carolina, at the Western Carolina Regional Airport.

This is Life Force’s sixth helicopter. According to its website, Life Force operates three H135 and two Bell Helicopter 407s.

“Placement of this helicopter is the result of several years of solid relationship building with surrounding hospitals and the support of state and local elected officials and enables thousands of residents to quicker access to regional facilities like Erlanger Health System when they need it most," said Kevin M. Spiegel, Erlanger Health System president and CEO.

Med-Trans Corp. said that the Andrews base is new, and Life Force expects to start operating from it mid-August.

“In mountainous regions, helicopters not equipped for IFR can frequently get fogged in at their bases and are unable to answer patient transport requests,” the company said. “With an IFR aircraft now in that region, patients will have quicker access to higher level of care with increased safety during periods wher outside visual references are obscured.”