A shakeup in ownership of regional air ambulance services has brought new possibilities for West Bowie County first responder services and citizens as Lifenet ended its long relationship with Air Methods and began a new partnership with Metro Aviation, while Air Methods joined hands with Pafford Medical Services.
In a press release issued last week, Lifenet announced its LifeNet Air Medical Services would officially begins its partnership with Metro Aviation on October 1, 2026, and planned to launch Air Dispatch at LifeNet’s Hot Springs Communications Center.
According to that press release, “LifeNet Air Medical Services has been serving its communities for more than four decades, and there’s a tremendous amount of history and trust behind that name,” said Todd Stanberry, Vice President of Metro Aviation.
“Our role is to support the program with safe, reliable aviation services while allowing LifeNet to continue doing what it has done since 1983— providing exceptional care to the communities it serves. We are proud to welcome LifeNet into the Metro family.”
Under the new partnership, Metro will initially operate EC135 helicopters in support of LifeNet Air Medical Services.
Helicopter bases serve Hot Springs, Arkansas; Texarkana, Texas; and Daingerfield, Texas, with fixed-wing service based in Texarkana.
LifeNet Air Medical Services is working with hospitals, EMS agencies, fire departments, and emergency management officials to share transition information and coordinate aircraft safety and landing zone training.
Pafford Medical Services also issued a press release noting that Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, had formed a partnership with them in an effort to launch a rotor wing air medical program from air medical bases in Texarkana and Arkadelphia, each operating a Bell 407 helicopter.
The Pafford Medical Services will provide coverage mostly for Southern Arkansas. According to that press release, “By partnering with Pafford Medical Services, we are able to ensure that the residents of Southern Arkansas continue to have access to care, regardless of how far they may be from the nearest trauma center,” said Air Methods Vice President of Field Operations Michael McGregory.
DeKalb ESD #6 Fire Chief Robbie Barrett told the West Bowie Post that his department also has a partnership with Titus Regional in Mt. Pleasant, ensuring that the citizens of West Bowie County have adequate air ambulance services.
Barrett told the West Bowie Post, “We have always had good air ambulance service and I don’t expect that to change with these new services.”
