Michael Shane, base pilot supervisor for the Poplar Bluff, Mo., Air Evac Lifeteam base, recently celebrated his 2,000th patient flight. Shane opened the base in 2002, and was previously a pilot in the United States Army.
Jeff Estes, senior program director for the Air Evac base, said Shane has a great deal of history with the Poplar Bluff base and is a dedicated pilot.
"Mike is one of the original pilots employed here in Poplar Bluff, and he leads by example," Estes said. "He also documents the base's history. Mike is focused on providing access to a higher level of emergency care for our entire service area."
In 2016, Shane was the Region 1 Safety Award winner, and he said flying for Air Evac Lifeteam for 15 years has been rewarding.
"I don't see this as 2,000 flight wings, but as 2,000 friends and neighbors I've helped in their darkest hour," he said.
Shane and his wife, Cindy Lou, have been married for 35 years. The Poplar Bluff residents have two children.
"My son is an Airborne Ranger, just like me, and an Army captain in the 1st Special Forces group in Okinawa," he said. "Our daughter is a college student in Poplar Bluff. We are so proud."
In his spare time, Shane is in charge of the local veterans' museum, and volunteers at the VA, driving disabled veterans to their appointments.
"I also still fly Vietnam-era Huey and Cobra helicopters for a historical foundation supporting veterans' events," he said.