Avera Health has expanded its Careflight program to better serve rural residents and improve response times across the 72,000 square-mile region Avera Services. The expansion involves placing a fixed-wing aircraft in Pierre. A Careflight helicopter is currently based in Aberdeen as well as a fixed-wing plane and helicopter in Sioux Falls. The fixed wings can fly at higher speeds and greater distances. Ground ambulances take patients to and from the airport in support of the fixed-wing unit. Careflight was the first helicopter transport service in South Dakota.