In his 16-year career with the service, he has witnessed all manner of scenes and in early February attended the tragic truck accident at Giro on Thunderbolts Way.

"Both trucks careered more than 80 metres off the side and over a steep 45 degree incline," he said.

"We transported a 47-year-old male and a 52-year-old female to John Hunter Hospital."

To date he has been part of around 1500 missions, including the rescue of sailors on the Pasha Bulker.

Mr Ramplin grew up in Redhead and went to Whitebridge High School.

After finishing school, he trained for three months with United Mining Support Services.

In 1998, he was accepted into the rescue helicopter service in 1998, where Mr Ramplin was part of the first crew to be based in Tamworth.

He returned to the Hunter with his wife Amanda in 2003.

"I've been so fortunate to have had the opportunity in the past 16 years to meet many of the people that we've helped," Mr Ramplin said.