Trøndelag was amongst the areas in Norway with the best coverage of
Westland Sea King search and rescue helicopters following the establishment of the
330 Squadron at
Ørland Main Air Station in 1973. The first helicopter ambulance service in Trondheim was established by
Lufttransport in February 1981. They stationed a helicopter at Trondheim Regional Hospital (today St. Olav's) in the hopes that they could sell flight hours to either the hospital or other contractors. However, no missions were requisitioned. The
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs appointed a commission which in 1986 recommended that a national state-funded helicopter ambulance service be established. There was a major debate in Trondheim if this was a necessary investment. The previous attempt showed little use and the rescue helicopters served the region well. NLA became active in supporting an air ambulance service. Based on the commission's report, Trondheim was selected as one of eight bases starting 1 January 1988. There had been calls for the base to be built at the regional hospital, but there was not place for the service there. Instead a permanent base was built at Vestre Rosten at Tiller. ==Facilities==