Air Evac 59 to Relocate Base to Keokuk

Move aims to bring air medical services closer to patients in the region.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Air Evac Lifeteam announced it will move its AEL 59 air medical base from Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Ft. Madison to the Keokuk Municipal Airport. The relocation is designed to enhance response coverage and improve availability of air medical services for people in and around Keokuk.

Why it matters

The move reflects shifts in healthcare use and emergency response demands across the region. By basing the aircraft nearer to where patients live and work, Air Evac Lifeteam expects to shorten response times during critical situations.

The details

The move was finalized during a contract signing on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, involving the City of Keokuk, the Keokuk Municipal Airport Board, and Air Evac Lifeteam.

  • Air Evac Lifeteam announced the relocation plans on Friday, February 9, 2026.
  • The contract signing finalizing the move took place on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

The players

Air Evac Lifeteam

An air medical transport company that provides emergency helicopter services.

City of Keokuk

The local government of Keokuk, Iowa, which was involved in the contract signing for the air medical base relocation.

Keokuk Municipal Airport Board

The governing body responsible for the Keokuk Municipal Airport, which will host the new Air Evac 59 base.

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What’s next

The new Air Evac 59 base at the Keokuk Municipal Airport is expected to begin operations in the coming months.

The takeaway

This relocation of the Air Evac 59 base aims to improve the availability and response times of air medical services for the Keokuk community and surrounding region, reflecting the evolving healthcare and emergency response needs in the area.