The History of OSF Aviation & OSF Life Flight
The history of OSF Life Flight reflects a long-standing commitment to bringing lifesaving care to patients when every second counts. What began with early helicopter transports in the late 1960s evolved into a pioneering hospital-based flight program centered at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, expanding over the decades with advanced aircraft, new bases and highly trained medical teams.
Today, OSF HealthCare continues to grow this vital service, ensuring communities across Illinois have rapid access to critical care from the sky.
The Beginning
1967: A Peoria Journal Star helicopter was used to transport an infant to Saint Francis Hospital Peoria in from Zion, Illinois.
The 1980s
1981: The new Lifeline emergency helicopter service, in coordination with the Illinois Department of Transportation, was based at Saint Anthony Hospital Medical Center, Rockford; the only hospital-based helicopter service in Illinois.
1981: Illinois Department of Transportation purchased a twin-engine S-76 based in Peoria for medical transport.
1984: Saint Francis Medical Center began a helicopter patient transfer program called Life Flight.
1986: The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis leased a Bell Long Ranger single turbine engine helicopter for the Saint Francis Medical Center Life Flight program, instead of relying on the state helicopter.
1987: Bishop O’Rourke dedicated and blessed the new helicopter hangar located near the Saint Francis Medical Center Emergency Department.
2000s
2001: OSF Aviation was formed.
2002: OSF invested $5 million in two new Bell Model 230 helicopters for the Life Flight program; the only multi-aircraft hospital-based program in Illinois.
2006: Lifeline Helicopter service celebrated 25 years of service as the first hospital-based flight service in Illinois and the 13th in the U.S.
2007: A new, $4.3 million, 9,000-square-foot helipad featuring a heated surface was completed at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.
2007: A fourth helicopter was purchased for the OSF Life Flight program.
2007: The new, $2.6 million, 19,000-square-foot hangar near the Greater Peoria Regional Airport to house OSF Aviation and the Life Flight program was dedicated.
2008: Life Flight added a second aircraft into 24-hour service.
2008: OSF stationed a helicopter in Peru for a daily 12-hour shift for that region.
2010s
2010: OSF Life Flight helicopters were equipped with night vision goggles.
2012: OSF Aviation launched a new fleet of four Eurocopter EC 145 helicopters; two stationed in Peoria, one in Peru and one in Rockford.
2013: Peru received 24-hour helicopter services.
2013: The northern Illinois emergency helicopter service, OSF Lifeline merged with the Central Illinois service OSF Life Flight.
2016: OSF Aviation opened a new hangar with onsite living quarters for medical staff at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru.
2017: OSF HealthCare began daily relocation of a Peoria-based helicopter to OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center to provide Galesburg and surrounding communities with faster access to emergency care.
2020s
2020: Bishop Jenky blessed the Diocese of Peoria aboard an OSF Life Flight helicopter on Good Friday. The bishop prayed in the air for coronavirus victims and their families.
2021: Emergency helicopter transport was now available 24/7 in McLean County after adding a new hangar at the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington.
2022: Two helicopters were permanently located in Galesburg after the completion of a new hangar adjacent to OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center.
2024: A new hangar at Whiteside County Airport in Rock Falls became the new base for OSF Life Flight at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center.