Okavango Air Rescue

Okavango Air Rescue was founded in March 2011 by Christian Gross and Dr. med. Misha S. Kruck to provide a professional medical Helicopter Rescue Service, for the remote and inaccessible areas of the country, of which there are many, due to the vastness of Botswana. Misha has had a long association with REGA, the famous medical rescue service of Switzerland, which supplies helicopter borne emergency care to people in remote and inaccesseible areas of the Swiss mountains. The similarity of the inaccessible terrain has been the basis of the idea under which Okavango Air Rescue has been created and led Misha & Christian to purchase a Jetranger Helicopter and establish the service. Since the 15th of October 2012 Okavango Air Rescue is airborne and operational. From a "two man band" the company has grown to a substantial Team. All medical Team Members participate regularly in continuing medical education and ongoing professional development. All our flying operations are managed by Helicopter Horizons, a successful Helicopter Charter Company in Maun, founded in 2004 by Andrew Baker and Hannah Rees. The company also supplies experienced bush pilots to Okavango Air Rescue on a 24 hours, 7 days per week basis, as well as hangar space and all logistics required in the field of aviation. Helicopter Horizons is an ICAO approved Air Operator with a fleet of Bell Jetrangers and Robinson 44's. The company upholds the highest international standards with regular government and independent audits carried out each year. All company Pilots have vast local "bush" knowledge which is vital when operating in the challenging environments of Southern Africa. The Pilots also go through rigorous biannual re-currency training to ensure their flying competency. They are trained in First Aid, and assist the medical Team if needed.