Established in 1974 as Bio Medical Research Associates (BMRA). In 1985 was purchased by three Twin Cities hospitals, as a means to operate a cost-effective helicopter service, and became Life Link III. Since then, the company has grown from one helicopter based in St. Paul, Minnesota to a network of five bases located throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Members include: Allina Health, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Essentia Health St Mary’s Medical Center, Fairview Health Services, Hennepin County Medical Center, Regions Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, St Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health System and St Luke’s. Accredited by CAMTS
As of March 2017 operates AW119Kx from 6 helicopter bases at Alexandria, Blaine, Cloquet, Hibbing, and Willmar (Minnesota) and Rice Lake (Wisconsin). Brainerd, Minnesota to be opened in mid-2017.
In September 2018 celebrates 15,000 flight hours and 8,000 patient transports with the AW119Kx fleet.
In November 2020, Life Link III's AW119 fleet has accumulated over 21,000 flight hours. Also this year they get their own certificate and are no longer being operated by Air Methods
As of 2020, Life Link III has 9 helicopter bases :
- Minnesota : Alexandria, Blaine, Brainerd, Duluth, Hibbing, Rush City and Willmar
- Wisconsin : Marshfield and Rice Lake
As of 2026, Life Link III served the Upper Midwest as the nation's largest hospital-based consortium. With 11 strategically positioned bases across Minnesota and Wisconsin, the organization ensures a rapid 24/7 response for both on-scene emergencies and time-sensitive inter-facility transfers.
Members include: Allina Health, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Essentia Health St Mary’s Medical Center, Fairview Health Services, Hennepin County Medical Center, Regions Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, St Cloud Hospital/CentraCare Health System and St Luke’s. Accredited by CAMTS
As of March 2017 operates AW119Kx from 6 helicopter bases at Alexandria, Blaine, Cloquet, Hibbing, and Willmar (Minnesota) and Rice Lake (Wisconsin). Brainerd, Minnesota to be opened in mid-2017.
In September 2018 celebrates 15,000 flight hours and 8,000 patient transports with the AW119Kx fleet.
In November 2020, Life Link III's AW119 fleet has accumulated over 21,000 flight hours. Also this year they get their own certificate and are no longer being operated by Air Methods
As of 2020, Life Link III has 9 helicopter bases :
- Minnesota : Alexandria, Blaine, Brainerd, Duluth, Hibbing, Rush City and Willmar
- Wisconsin : Marshfield and Rice Lake
As of 2026, Life Link III served the Upper Midwest as the nation's largest hospital-based consortium. With 11 strategically positioned bases across Minnesota and Wisconsin, the organization ensures a rapid 24/7 response for both on-scene emergencies and time-sensitive inter-facility transfers.
News about Life Link III |
Astronautics AeroSync Data Link for Life Link III AW119 Fleet
07-Mar-26 - Life Link III’s AW119 air ambulance fleet to receive Astronautics AeroSync Mission connectivity system, providing secure in-flight internet and cellular data link for air medical missions across the Upper Midwest. #connectivity
Leonardo at AMTC 2022
27-Oct-22 - Leonardo featured a Life Link III AW169 helicopter and an AW609 mock-up in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) configurations at the Air Medical Transport Conference AMTC 2022 in Tampa, FL October 24-26 #AMTC22
Life Flight Network and Life Link III New Alliance
10-Dec-21 - Two U.S., hospital-owned, not-for-profit air ambulance programs, Life Flight Network and Life Link III, signed letter of intent (LoI) to launch a strategic alliance #Alliance
Leonardo at AMTC 2021
04-Nov-21 - Leonardo new orders at the SHIFT Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas include 2 AW119K and 1 AW169 for Life Link III and 1 AW169 for Intermountain Life Flight #AMTC2021
AW119 Medical Interiors
03-Nov-21 - Spectrum Aeromed in new partnership with Uniflight Global for installation of medical interiors on Leonardo AW119Kxi air ambulance helicopters for Life Link III of Minnesota and Mercy Flight of New York #AW119| More News ... |  |
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