Cincinnati Children’s Reveals First Dedicated Helicopter and Name Suggested for it by Local 5-year-old Girl

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Key Takeaways:

• Helicopter provides timely access to specialized care for kids transported from regional hospitals.
• Crew includes a pediatric critical care nurse, a respiratory therapist and, when needed, a physician.
• Care Force One was the name selected for the helicopter from over 825 contest entries submitted by children.

Cincinnati Children's has landed its first ever dedicated helicopter to provide timely access to critical care for kids from other cities in Ohio or nearby states, and the aircraft has a clever name thanks to a creative 5-year-old from Butler County.

Ellie Rocco of Hamilton, whose dad, Joseph, specializes in aviation as a staff sergeant with the Ohio National Guard, loves learning about aircraft from him. So, when her mom, Stephanie, mentioned that Cincinnati Children's was holding a contest that invited local kids to suggest a name for the helicopter, Ellie submitted one that soared above the rest: Care Force One.

The helicopter, branded with Cincinnati Children's logo and colors, was unveiled and the winning name revealed on Tuesday night, March 10, during a ceremony attended by Ellie as well as other kids who were contest finalists. Each child present received a certificate and a trophy with a likeness of the helicopter. In all, Cincinnati Children's received more than 825 entries for its helicopter naming contest.

"Our new helicopter can dramatically speed up the transport of newborns and children from hospitals across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and parts of West Virginia," said Evaline Alessandrini, MD, chief operating officer of Cincinnati Children's, who presided over the unveiling ceremony. "Travel time can be cut in half or more, allowing specialized care to begin as soon as our team arrives."

Stephanie Rocco heard about the contest from the TV news. "I suggested we think up some creative names, and Ellie was literally jumping up and down and shouting: 'Care Force One!' "

Ellie said the name she submitted was inspired by the plane designated to transport U.S. presidents, which is called Air Force 1. "That will be a good name," Ellie said of her suggestion for the helicopter. "Kids will say, 'Care Force One is coming to help me!' "

The kindergartner said she was surprised and thrilled to win the naming contest, and her mom noted that the recognition was extra special because Ellie has an older brother, Joel, 12, who receives care at Cincinnati Children's. "They saved his life," Stephanie Rocco said. "Cincinnati Children's is near and dear to me. It's the most caring place ever."

Cincinnati Children's has a helipad atop the Critical Care Building at its Burnet Campus in Avondale and another at the Liberty Campus in Butler County. The new helicopter - an Airbus EC145 - can fly more than 150 mph, travel up to 300 miles roundtrip and operate day or night. Aboard for each flight is a Cincinnati Children's critical care nurse, a respiratory therapist and, when needed, a physician.

Air Methods, which owns and operates medical transport helicopters nationwide, provides the aircraft and the pilot for Cincinnati Children's.

The helicopter is based at the Butler County Regional Airport. Flights are coordinated through Cincinnati Children's new Access Hub, a NASA-style command center used by the health system's Critical Care Transport Team to oversee patient movements.

Care Force One is dedicated solely to flying patients from other hospitals to Cincinnati Children's, while other air or ground crews continue to respond to accidents or local emergencies.

"Kids and families from all 50 states come to Cincinnati Children's every year for specialized care," Alessandrini said. "Now, with Care Force One, we can help some of those kids receive life-saving care faster than ever."