Only Civilian Agency to Receive National Security Clearance
To Operate Aircraft Inside Inner Ring
Angel Flight West (AFW), the
country’s largest volunteer pilot organization arranging and
providing, through its volunteer pilot members, free air
transportation for non-emergency health care issues, provided
around-the-clock support services in connection with Denver’s
hosting of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) last month.
The AFW operation was based at the Denver Health Hospital and
Authority, which was tasked by the United States Secret Service and
the Department of Homeland Security to handle medical emergencies
in support of the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field Convention
sites.
From August 25-28, AFW and Denver Health Hospital board member,
Kevin P. Kauffman, directed and piloted missions into and out of
the Denver Health Level 1 Trauma Center helipads located 1 mile
from the DNC Convention Sites flying a Bell 222 helicopter with the
call sign "Angel 1." All flights were conducted under the
surveillance and coordination of the North American Aerospace
Defense Command, the Department of Defense, Federal Aviation
Administration and the United States Secret Service.
"As the only civilian aviation group to receive national
security clearance to be based inside the 2NM National Defense
Airspace which contained Denver Health and the Convention sites, it
was a great privilege to provide this unique public health service
coordinated by Angel Flight West and Denver Health Hospital," said
Kauffman.
In 2005 Angel Flight West joined the Homeland Security Emergency
National Transportation System and provided for its Mission Command
Pilots to become Certified Pilot First Responders. "These missions
underscore the valuable contribution that volunteer general
aviation can make to national safety and security," said Alan M.
Dias, Executive Director of AFW. "We were pleased to lend our
support to the national convention process."
Working with volunteer pilots in privately owned aircraft, AFW
coordinates flights for medically stable and ambulatory
passenger/patients in need of transportation to and from health
care provider sites. The non-profit organization serves 13 western
states, including Alaska and Hawaii. AFW relies on public support;
volunteer pilots receive no compensation for their time or the use
of their aircraft.
Founded in 1983, Angel Flight West offers free air
transportation in response to health care by linking both volunteer
private pilots and commercial airline partners with those that need
travel to and from medical facilities throughout the 13 western
states, including Alaska and Hawaii. AFW also transports precious
cargo such as organs, blood, tissue and medical supplies.
The organization arranges free air support for disaster relief
efforts in times of crisis and other numerous humanitarian needs.
The costs of all flights are donated; there is never a charge for
an Angel Flight West mission.