The public and local officials had an opportunity Monday, to take a look at a new helicopter in Clarinda, that will serve a 15-county area of southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri.

A Bell 407 helicopter similar to one that will based in Clarinda.

The Omaha World-Herald reports the Bell 407 helicopter will be based either at the Clarinda Regional Health Center or at a maintenance hangar at Schenck Field in Clarinda. It’s service area is within about 50-miles of the base.

The fully-staffed chopper was made possible thanks to a partnership with Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, and Air Methods/LifeNet. Mercy will provide the 11 flight paramedics and nurses, while Air Methods will provide the pilots and a mechanic. The helicopter will transport patients to medical centers in Omaha and Lincoln, NE, Des Moines, and St. Joseph, MO. Communities served by the chopper include Clarinda, Atlantic, Corning, Creston, Mt. Ayr, Red Oak and Shenandoah, in Iowa, and Fairfax and Maryville, in Missouri.