Classic Air Medical Gives Lifeguards Special Flight

Classic Air Medical Flight Nurse Leslie Smith, Flight Medic Jeffrey Begay, lifeguard Janali Gustafson, 20, Pilot Geoff Rodgers and lifeguards Emily Hopkins, 17, and George Steinkamp, 16, gather Wednesday for a preflight safety orientation at Los Alamos County Airport. Hopkins’ father John Hopkins and Jeff Dare of the Los Alamos Public Safety Association were the successful bidders for a 15-minute helicopter ride donated by Classic Air Medical, auctioned during LAPSA’s annual awards banquet last month at La Mesita Restaurant in Pojoaque. Dare and Hopkins wanted to reward the lifeguards for their heroic acts during a near drowning last summer at Barranca Mesa Pool. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Classic Air Medical Flight Nurse Leslie Smith, left, and Flight Medic Jeffrey Begay, right, continue the safety orientation for the lifeguards prior to their flight Wednesday. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Barranca Mesa Pool lifeguards learn about the helicopter they are about to board. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Classic Air Medical flight crew help the lifeguards with their protective gear. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Barranca Mesa Pool lifeguard Emily Hopkins, 17, is ready for takeoff. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Classic Air Medical flight crew help strap in the lifeguards. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Classic Air Medical Pilot Geoff Rodgers prepares to give the lifeguards a special flight around the area. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Family members from left, Sally Hopkins, 10, John Hopkins and Jennifer Hopkins watch and take photos as the helicopter takes off Wednesday from the airport and Classic Air Medical crew members Leslie Smith and Jeffrey Begay wave at right. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

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