Together with former patients, crew and community allies, STARS officially welcomed to the Calgary base two new Airbus H145 aircraft.  The helicopters are the first part of a plan to replace the non-profit air ambulance’s entire fleet across Western Canada.
    “Today is about bringing us one step closer to making our fleet renewal program a reality,” said STARS president and CEO Andrea Robertson. “It is also about paying tribute to the aircraft that have served critically ill and injured patients across Western Canada for 34 years. We are told the lives we help save and the time we give patients and their families makes a difference.”
    The milestone event was marked by the air arrival of STARS’ first patient, Kelly Waldron, in an H145 helicopter that honours her place in STARS history by proudly bearing the official registration marks “C-GKLY” – a nod to her first name.
    STARS unveiled in June 2018 its ambitious, multi-year plan to renew its current fleet  of BK117 and AW139 helicopters with new Airbus H145 aircraft.
    “The bulk of our fleet—the BK117 helicopters—are no longer being built and are becoming costlier to maintain,” said Robertson. “Independent assessments of the sustainability of our fleet told us we needed to move from two aircraft types to one.”
    An extensive review resulted in the selection of the Airbus H145 aircraft as the best option for STARS’ new fleet. It is a technologically advanced model with an updated version of the medical interior found in STARS’ existing helicopters.
    “The H145 family of aircraft has built a reputation as a proven and flexible solution    for emergency medical services,” said Romain Trapp, president of Airbus Helicopters Canada. “We are humbled and proud to deliver the first of many high performance H145s to STARS, supporting life-saving missions across Western Canada.”
    Nine new helicopters are required to replace STARS’ fleet, at a cost of $13 million each, medically equipped. Thanks to the generous support of federal and provincial government allies, STARS is well on its way to achieving its goal. A capital campaign will continue to raise funds to replace the rest of the fleet.
    STARS anticipates these first two new helicopters will enter service later this summer.

    A local man has made it his business to make sure veterans graves at the Drumheller Cemetery are looked after, and last year he enlisted help.
    This year he is back on Sunday, June 2 for the second annual Field of Honour Clean up Day.
    Eric Dahl has made national headlines for his efforts. Last year he invited the public to help in the cleanup, and on June 2 they will be doing their part.
    “Last year there was such a great response from locals and people who came in from out of town, that we are starting off with lunch,” Dahl tells the Mail. “I figured if people are taking time out of their day and dollars out of their pocket to come to Drumheller, we are going to feed them first.”
    Last year he had a strong turnout both from people from Drumheller and outside the valley. This year looks the same. He says there is a strong contingent coming from veterans motorcycle clubs.
    “The Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Club is sending 15-20 and the Commandos Canada Motorcycle Club are planning to send 25-30,” he said. “There may be one or two clubs that may be showing up as well.”
    “I am expecting it to be twice as big as last time.”
    He has invited Kirk Powell of Airdrie as Guest of Honour.
    “ He is an Afghanistan Veteran and is currently a CSC officer in Calgary,” said Dahl. “He is really looking forward to partaking in this.”
    The day begins on June 2 with lunch at noon. At 1 p.m., Dahl will give a cleaning tutorial to the volunteers and then the clean up goes from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
    He encourages volunteers to bring tools such as kneepads, gardening gloves, putty knives, scrub brushes, and brooms. There will also be some tools on site to use.
    “What resonates with the veterans, is I think they are impressed civilians are taking an active interest in their well being and their memories are preserved,” said Dahl. “The majority of people who are going to be showing up are veterans and I am extremely grateful for that.”