posted February 15, 2018

(DENVER, Colorado, February 15, 2018) – Even though they are part of the same team stateside, two Air Methods teammates just met for the first time thousands of miles from home.

CW4 Jay Jones, pilot with Tulsa Life Flight based in Riverside, Oklahoma, and SSG Adam Max, paramedic with Black Hills Life Flight based out of Rapid City, South Dakota, were unknowingly stationed together overseas performing a medevac mission to soldiers, sailors and airmen currently serving in harm’s way. Jay is part of Charlie Company 1/244 Assault Helicopter Battalion, and their mission is to support the aircraft that Adam’s unit, Charlie Company 1/189 MEDEVAC, operates.

During a night of conversation and getting to know everyone in their new family, Jay and Adam discovered that they both work for Air Methods, just in different locations.

“It truly is a small world and comfort knowing that we are connected with a different type of family from back home,” said Jones.

This is Jay’s third 12-month deployment and Adam’s fourth. Both will continue to be deployed overseas until late September 2018 and then plan to return back home to their locations and get back to work at Air Methods.

“We both love what we do both at home and overseas,” Max said.

“We enjoy being part of this giant puzzle to get those that need our help on their darkest days back to safety and back home with their families.” Upon returning stateside, Jay plans to spend time with his wife, two daughters and one son. He has plans to do some deer and hog hunting, and go on a few rides on his Harley. He will retire in six years with a total of 39 years with the National Guard; however, he has plans to continue his Air Methods career.

Adam also plans to spend some much-needed time with his family and continue with his career with Air Methods. He will retire from the National Guard in 2021.

“This is honestly the hardest deployment I have ever had to deal with,” he said. “I was always single on my other ones. Now I have a two-year old girl, a six-year-old boy and a loving and supporting wife.”

Both Jay and Adam hope to attend Indoc in Denver together upon their return to catch up before parting ways once again.

“The relationships we make on a deployment usually stick with you for a lifetime,” said Max.

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