The $3.5 million contract, which will be in effect until February 2008, is limited to services for military personnel.

With war deployments continuing unabated, state officials last year abandoned hope that the 25th Infantry Division could resume helicopter medevac flights on O'ahu and began looking for a civilian operator.

In late December, officials announced that three to four Black Hawks from an active-duty Army unit in Alaska would be used for military training and civilian medevac services while the search for a civilian operator was under way. Two other choppers from the Alaska unit on military duty on the Big Island remained there to assist with medevac flights.

The 25th Division, which provided free medevac service on O'ahu for 34 years, deployed to Iraq during summer months in 2006.

The Evergreen contract includes two new Bell 412EPs for operations on O'ahu and the Big Island, at the Pohakuloa Training Area.

Crews will maintain a 24-hour standby alert to provide air medical evacuation services and wild land fire suppression support response. The helicopters are equipped for night vision goggles operations, rescue hoists and a full complement of medical support devices for onboard patient support.

"Evergreen Helicopters is very pleased to have the opportunity to provide our turn key service to the U.S. Army in Hawaii. We have a long history of providing safe and effective aviation services which protect life and property in communities of all sizes in the U.S., and throughout the world," Evergreen Helicopters President David Rath said in a news release.

"We are very excited about this latest contribution in support of U.S. Military and DoD personnel, and look forward to expanding our capabilities to include the support of Hawai'i residents and visitors on all the islands."

EHI has partnered with Priority 1 Air Rescue of Kaua'i to provide emergency medical services on board the aircraft.

"Evergreen and Priority 1 share a dedication to the aviation industry and a passion for using our constantly improving capabilities to protect life. We have a proven track record of successful teaming on various other assignments, and are confident that our combined expertise will benefit this area, as well," said Evergreen Helicopters Executive Vice President Ron Selvy.