The Göttingen base of the DRF Air Rescue is celebrating its 45th anniversary today. Since its official start of service on July 3, 1980, the red and white rescue helicopter "Christoph 44" has become an indispensable pillar of emergency medical care in southern Lower Saxony, northern Hesse, and parts of Thuringia.
Stationed at Göttingen University Hospital, the team of pilots, emergency physicians, and paramedics is ready every day to provide rapid and competent assistance from the air. Over the past four and a half decades, the crews have been called out to over 58.500 missions and, thanks to their comprehensive qualifications, state-of-the-art equipment, and the decisive time advantage of the helicopter, have saved countless lives. This anniversary is not only an opportunity to look back, but also a commitment to an ongoing mission of serving the public.
“Christoph 44”: Rapid air support for the region
Whether it's an acute heart attack, a stroke, or a work-related accident, "Christoph 44" is quickly on the scene when patients with serious illnesses or injuries require immediate emergency medical assistance. The helicopter's ability to reach the scene quickly, regardless of traffic congestion or difficult terrain, is a crucial factor in the patient's chances of survival and recovery. The time advantage offered by air rescue is invaluable in emergency medicine, especially in critical situations where every minute counts.
The operational readiness of "Christoph 44" extends over a wide area. For primary emergency medical services, the team covers southern Lower Saxony, northern Hesse, and neighboring areas of Thuringia. Furthermore, the helicopter can also be deployed for rapid transfer flights of critically ill patients within Lower Saxony and beyond, for example, to transfer patients from smaller hospitals to specialized university hospitals. This flexibility and range underscore the central role of the Göttingen station in the regional and supra-regional emergency medical services system.
Markus Sandmann, Head of Station Operations for the Northern Region, acknowledged the long-standing work and collaboration on the occasion of the anniversary: "The fact that we can look back on 45 years of successful air rescue in Göttingen today is thanks not only to the commitment of the colleagues who built the station, but also to the years of trusting cooperation with our local partners – from hospitals and control centers to ground-based rescue services." He emphasized the common goal of all involved: "We are driven by the same idea: to ensure rapid and optimal assistance for people in need in the region."
The history of Göttingen Station: From the idea to modernity
The idea of stationing a rescue helicopter in Göttingen was already conceived in the 1970s. Two anesthesiology professors were instrumental in improving emergency medical care in the region, as the ground-based rescue services at the time were often insufficient to transport patients to specialized hospitals quickly enough. After intensive negotiations with the Lower Saxony Ministry of Social Affairs, the City of Göttingen, and the German Air Rescue Service (DRF Luftrettung), the station was finally established – a testament to the early recognition of the need for an airlift in the rescue service.
On July 3, 1980, the Göttingen base officially commenced operations, becoming the fourth DRF Air Rescue station nationwide . This underscores the pioneering role played by DRF Air Rescue in establishing a comprehensive air rescue system in Germany. The Göttingen station's first helicopter was a Bell 206 Long Ranger , a modern aircraft at the time, but significantly smaller and less powerful than today's models. The very next day after its commissioning, on July 4, 1980, the station was deployed to its first mission: a traffic accident near Wöllmarshausen – a swift demonstration of the new station's necessity.
Over the years, the Göttingen station's fleet has been continuously modernized. In 1984, the Bell 206 was replaced by a more powerful BO 105 , a helicopter that formed the backbone of German air rescue for decades. In 2007, the fleet was upgraded to the more modern EC135 helicopter , which offered improved flight performance, safety, and medical equipment. Since last year, a state-of-the-art H135 helicopter has been in operation. This aircraft is not only quieter and produces less vibration, thus increasing patient comfort, but is also ideally suited to the station's operational profile, as it features the latest avionics and medical equipment.
The crew and mission profiles
The crew of "Christoph 44" consists of a highly qualified team: a pilot , an emergency physician , and a paramedic/HEMS TC (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Technical Crew Member). This composition ensures that top-level medical care can be provided directly at the scene of the incident, even before the patient is transported to a hospital. The emergency physician is capable of performing life-saving measures and complex medical procedures, while the paramedic assists the physician and is responsible for pre-hospital patient care. The HEMS TC is also responsible for supporting the pilot with navigation and communication, as well as for safety at the scene.
A key advantage of air rescue is the rapid accessibility of emergency sites. The crew of "Christoph 44" can reach emergency locations within a 60-kilometer radius in a maximum of 15 minutes. This short response time is often crucial to the outcome of an emergency, for example, in the case of a heart attack or stroke, where rapid treatment can minimize physical damage. The rescue helicopter is available for missions from sunrise (7 a.m. at the earliest) until sunset, with many air rescue stations in Germany, especially at larger locations, now also having night flight capabilities to ensure around-the-clock care.
DRF Air Rescue: An important pillar of emergency care
DRF Luftrettung, headquartered in Filderstadt, is one of the largest non-profit air rescue organizations in Europe . It operates helicopters and air ambulances from 32 bases at 30 locations across Germany. Its range of services is broad and includes:
- Emergency rescue operations: This is the primary alarm in the event of serious accidents or acute illnesses.
- Transfer flights: The transport of critically ill or injured people between hospitals, for example when specialized treatment is required in another hospital.
- Repatriation of patients from abroad: This is for the medical care of German citizens who have become ill or have had an accident abroad.
At 13 of DRF Air Rescue's helicopter stations, crews are on call around the clock, ensuring seamless emergency medical care at any time of day or night. At two additional stations, crews are available for daytime operations with extended off-peak hours. At five locations, helicopters equipped with rescue hoists are deployed, allowing them to rescue patients even from inaccessible terrain or mountainous regions where helicopter landing is not possible.
In 2024, DRF Luftrettung (DRF Air Rescue) carried out a total of 35.850 missions – an impressive number that underscores the organization's enormous commitment and importance to emergency medical services in Germany. As a non-profit organization, DRF Luftrettung relies on financial support to continuously expand its life-saving services . Around 400.000 supporting members already contribute to DRF e.V., but the ongoing modernization of the fleet, crew training, and the further development of medical equipment require constant investment. Public support is therefore essential to maintaining the high quality of air rescue services in Germany in the future.
An anniversary dedicated to saving lives
The 45th anniversary of the DRF Air Rescue Station Göttingen is a remarkable testament to the development and establishment of air rescue in Germany. From an initial idea by two dedicated professors, "Christoph 44" has evolved into a state-of-the-art unit that saves lives every day and makes an indispensable contribution to healthcare.
Looking back on over 58.500 missions, the immense importance of this work for the population of southern Lower Saxony and beyond is evident. The dedication of the crews, the continuous modernization of technology, and the close cooperation with partners on the ground are the pillars of this success. The anniversary is therefore not only an occasion for celebration, but also a reminder of the ongoing need to support and further develop this life-saving work.