New Base Brings 24/7 critical care transport to Eastern Riverside County

BLYTHE, CA – March 19, 2026 – Air Methods, the leading air medical provider in the nation, is proud to announce the opening of Mercy Air 10, a new emergency air medical base in Blythe, CA. The base began serving the community late last year and is now fully operational, providing specialized critical care air medical services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. This strategic expansion addresses the limited medical resources and the overall remoteness of Eastern Riverside County, ensuring rapid access to critical care for residents and visitors in the region.

Mercy Air 10 will operate in tandem with sister bases Mercy Air 27 in El Centro, Mercy Air 18 in Thermal, and its sister program, TriState CareFlight, along the Colorado River. Together, these programs deliver seamless air medical coverage across the California–Arizona border. The Mercy Air team responds when dispatched through a 911 call, a request from a local first responder agency, or a call from a hospital needing an interfacility transfer. The flight team is comprised of a seasoned pilot and a highly trained critical care team consisting of a nurse and a paramedic. On every transport mission, the clinical team carries blood products, which can be administered in flight, if necessary, positively increasing patient outcomes. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), Mercy Air adheres to the industry’s highest standards in safety and clinical excellence and provides lifesaving services without requiring a membership to avoid a costly bill.

“We recognized the need for advanced emergent medical transport in Blythe and the surrounding area,” said Mercy Air Regional Director Vanessa Hayflich. “Our commitment is to deliver lifesaving care where it’s needed.”

As part of its continued commitment to exceptional patient care, Air Methods appointed Dr. Seth Dukes as the Medical Director for Mercy Air. Dr. Dukes brings extensive expertise in emergency medicine, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of urgent and emergent illnesses and injuries. In his role, he supports clinical education, continuous quality improvement, and serves as a consultation resource for flight crews.

Dr. Dukes is board-certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) in Emergency Medicine and in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), with advanced training in managing and working with EMS agencies. He graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch, completed his residency in Emergency Medicine, and a fellowship in EMS and Disaster Medicine. In addition to his role at Mercy Air, Dr. Dukes serves as an attending physician and assistant professor at Loma Linda University Medical Center, EMS Medical Director for multiple agencies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and an attending at Riverside University Health System.

“This role is a new chapter and a positive challenge for me,” said Dr. Dukes. “My background in ground operations and critical care transport (CCT) has prepared me to move into air CCT. Air Methods has a strong national presence and an exceptional team, and I look forward to learning from them. The organization has been a pioneer in carrying blood products to better serve patients, and I see tremendous opportunity to continue advancing care for the communities we serve.”