Mission & Values
At Life Link III, our mission is to provide safe and effective air medical transport.
Our culture focuses on supporting our patients, our employees, and our community
Our Rich History
1979 : Bio Medical Research Associates (BMRA) provides special units for ground transport
BMRA was a pioneer in the industry by providing intra-aortic balloon pump support, Swan-Ganz and other hemodynamic monitoring services to hospitals.
1981: Airplane Ambulance Added
To better serve the needs of a growing population, an airplane ambulance was added to provide care to those who needed it
1985: BMRA purchased by original members
BMRA was purchased by Abbott Northwestern Hospital (Allina Health), St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center (HealthPartners®) and the University of Minnesota (Fairview Health Services), and became Life Link III.
1985: Life Link III becomes nonprofit organization
Life Link III becomes a nonprofit 501(c)3 company which would eventually become one of the largest nonprofit consortium models in the country.
2007: Rice Lake base opens
Rice Lake base opens in 2007 providing air medical transport to the Rice Lake area and surrounding regions.
2008: Hibbing base opens
Based at the Range Regional Airport, Life Link III’s Hibbing base opened in 2008.
2009: Blaine base opens
Life Link III opens new base at Anoka County Blaine Airport.
2010: Alexandria base opens
Life Link III opens new base in Alexandria, MN, increasing critical care access to this region.
2011: Life Link III ends ground operations
Life Link III discontinues ground ambulance service to focus on air medical transport.
2013: New fleet of Leonardo 119Kx helicopters arrive
Life Link III updates it’s entire fleet of aircraft to Agusta Westland 119Kx helicopters, featuring customized EMS interior and advanced life-saving equipment.
2013: Willmar base opens
Life Link III opens new base in Willmar, MN to support air medical transport needs in central Minnesota.
2015: Cloquet/Duluth Base....
Cloquet base opens in 2015 and is a 12-hour base designed to accommodate the needs of northern Minnesota
2016: New Pilatus PC-12 airplane added to fleet
Life Link III adds Pilatus PC-12 airplane to fleet and launches 24/7 fixed wing service
2017: Brainerd base opens
Life Link III opens new base in Brainerd, MN to support this rapidly growing area
2018: Marshfield base opens
Marshfield Clinic Health Systems joins as tenth member of Life Link III consortium and a new base is opened in Marshfield, WI.
2020: Life Link III Receives Part 135 Certificate
2020: Rush City base opens
Life Link III opens new base of operations in Rush City, MN.
2021: Rhinelander base opens
2022: Detroit Lakes base Opens
Life Link III opens a new base of operations in Detroit Lakes, MN in 2022.
Consortium Members
Life Link III is a nonprofit consortium. Ten healthcare organizations comprise the Life Link III consortium, each having equal representation on the Board of Directors. LEARN MORE
The Life Link III Board of Directors is comprised...
Life Link III’s Senior Leadership Team is a seasoned...
Life Link III has five medical directors from Consortium...
The Life Link III Administration Team is committed to...
