More than 200 local community, business, civic and aviation industryleaders gathered to pay tribute to medical flight teams from the LosAngeles Fire Department (LAFD) Air Operations Unit, Helinet Aviation andAIRescue International who have saved thousands of lives throughout the LosAngeles basin and beyond through their heroic, complex and often dangerousmedical transport missions.

"Van Nuys Airport's 80-year history is intricately woven into the fabricand development of the San Fernando Valley," said VNY Airport ManagerSelena Birk. "Our event not only commemorated the airport's leadership inaviation and legacy of community service, but honored the dedicated men andwomen who tirelessly work, often in dangerous and complex situations, toprovide critical air ambulance services to individuals and families inneed."

Los Angeles City Councilmember Tony Cárdenas joined Los Angeles WorldAirports Chief Operating Officer Steve Martin and VNY Airport ManagerSelena Birk for awards presentations. Helinet Aviation President AlanPurwin was honored for donating a $1.7 million Sikorsky 76A helicopter tobe used exclusively as an air ambulance, six pilots on 24-hour standby,insurance and fuel to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which dramaticallyimproved medical team response times by 60 percent.

Special recognition was also provided to Dr. Francine Vogler, AIRescueInternational medical director, for her 17 years of coordinating emergencymedical missions involving life-saving evacuations, repatriations andcomplex logistics across the globe in a wide range of aircraft. Inaddition, LAFD Battalion Chief Joseph Foley accepted an award on behalf ofthe firefighter/paramedics in the Department's Air Operations Unit whoperform advanced cardiac and pediatric life support, pre-hospital traumalife support and flight physiology in dedicated air ambulance helicopters.

Held at the airport in Pentastar Aviation's hangar facility, VNY's 80thanniversary celebration featured a keynote address by Judy Sheriff, programadministrator for the Children's Emergency Transport Program at ChildrensHospital Los Angeles, and a silent auction to raise funds for much-neededpatient transport monitors and equipment. The Rotary Club of Van Nuyspresented Childrens Hospital with a $1,000 check to support the program.

"Tonight's event held special meaning as we commemorated Van Nuys Airport'srich history and honored aviators who will continue to provide the gift offlight well into the future," said Birk. "As we commemorate the airport'sproud past, we also look forward to continuing our vital role in thenation's air transportation system and to providing increased social andeconomic benefits to the community."

As one of the world's busiest general aviation airports, VNY averages closeto 400,000 takeoffs and landings annually. Dedicated to noncommercial airtravel, VNY meets corporate, private and government aviation needs -- inthe process providing vital aviation services, enhancing efficiency at theregion's commercial airports, creating jobs and promoting business.

A 2007 economic study showed that VNY contributes more than $1.3 billionannually to the Southern California economy, supports over 12,300 jobs andgenerates an annual earnings impact of about $707 million.

VNY is one of four airports (including Los Angeles International,LA/Ontario International and LA/Palmdale Regional) owned and operated bythe City of Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.lawa.org/vny.

Contact:Diana Sanchez(818) 909-3529