Red Cross Air Mercy Service team get wings for their dedication
Health MEC, Ishmael Kgetjepe congratulated the aero-medical flight crew of the South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) base on their commitment when they received wings in acknowledgement of their service at the Polokwane Civil Airport last Tuesday.
POLOKWANE – Health MEC, Ishmael Kgetjepe congratulated the aero-medical flight crew of the South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) base on their commitment when they received wings in acknowledgement of their service at the Polokwane Civil Airport last Tuesday.
The wings were bestowed in recognition of the commitment of the aero-medical crew and their contribution in making a difference in the community.
The department, in partnership with the AMS, provides an emergency aero-medical service through a fully equipped, dedicated medical intensive care helicopter.
The helicopter, known as The Pride of Limpopo, provides rapid emergency transportation of sick and injured patients.
Vennesa Horn, AMS public relations officer, said in order to receive this award personnel underwent advanced training in aero-medical flight operations.
“The wings are issued in three categories according to flying hours on the aero-medical platform.
“The aircraft is crewed by personnel of the department of health emergency medical services (EMS), AMS pilots and flight paramedics,” Horn explained.
The winners in the half white/bronze wings category, flying hours between one to 50 hours, were:
• Gerhard Jacobs.
• Neels Cronje.
• Phuti Sebopa.
• Joost Swanepoel.
• Nkensani Nkuna.
The winners in the half silver wings category, flying hours between 50 and 150 hours, were:
• Dries van der Walt.
• Sibongile Masebe.
The winners in the half gold wings category, flying hours between 150 and above, were:
• Abner Matsimela.
• George Mphahlele.
• Dawie Jacobs.
• Phillemon Selahla.
• Eugene Schreiber.
• Louis Markram.
• Frikkie Beytell.
• Leon von Benecke.
• Hector Mashila.
• Fhulufhelo Netshitungulu.
• Teddy Prusent.
• Kwena Mabotja.
• Smit van Zyl.
• Victor Mashile.
The winners in the full gold wings category, awarded to pilots, were:
• Werner Venter.
• Nohan Ehlers.
• Jonathan Coetzee.
The Pride of Limpopo provides daylight service and operates from the Polokwane Civil Airport, and is accessible to all within the province.
It is authorised and dispatched through the nominated senior management team of the Limpopo EMS.
Anyone who requires emergency assistance can contact 10177.
