Manitoba's air ambulance service, known as STARS, has embarked on more than 300 missions since it started about a year ago, according to officials.

STARS, which stands for the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society, operates a medical helicopter that is like a "flying emergency room," travelling across the province to help those who are critically ill or injured.

STARS began in Alberta in 1985. Manitoba signed a 10-year agreement with the society in 2011, after the helicopter and its crew provided support during historic flooding that spring.

The provincial government estimates that the STARS helicopter will save 35 to 50 lives in Manitoba each year.

The CBC's Jeremy McDonald visited the STARS crew at its Winnipeg base on Tuesday. Click on the video player above to watch his report.