Air Support Unit

EAGLE 1 and EAGLE 2 are MD-500E, single engine, gas turbine powered helicopters. Both helicopters are owned and operated by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department and are staffed by sworn Deputy Sheriffs. The Air Support Unit was created in October of 1996. The unit is located at the Fresno-Yosemite Airport. The McDonnell Douglas 500E helicopter was selected as our preferred aircraft and two helicopters were purchased from MD Helicopters in Mesa, AZ to start the program. The flight crews began patrol operations on March 7, 1997.

The McDonnell Douglas 500E helicopter has a turbine engine that has a maximum speed of 175 mph with a maximum ceiling of 16,000 feet. The helicopter is fueled by aviation Jet-A and carries 63 U.S. gallons, which allow it to fly for approximately 1hr 45min. The helicopter has four seats and carries a pilot and a flight officer. Both of the MD500E helicopters are equipped with Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system, color video camera and 50 million-candlepower "Nightsun" searchlight. The helicopters are equipped with the Aero-Computers mapping system.

Whenever possible, notify EAGLE 1 whenever there is a possibility they may be needed (i.e. attempt pick-ups, search warrants, etc.). Because of the large size of the county, our ETA could be 30 + minutes. Even if you don’t need the helicopter directly overhead, giving the crew a heads up will allow us to at least be in the area should the need arise.

A leg bail is probably one of the more common events where EAGLE 1 can be used. In this case, how long ago was the person seen, where was he/she last seen and direction of travel. Physical description is also extremely important. At night, when trying to signal EAGLE 1 as to your location, if tactically feasible, shining your flashlight directly at the helicopter in rapid flashes will help us locate you. It can be helpful doing this when you are the person talking to the Flight Officer. This way, when you are giving directions, the Flight Officer can better visualize your directions. With the new LED flashlights, be aware that some frequencies of LED bulbs cannot be seen by NVGs.

During a vehicle pursuit, EAGLE calls the pursuit once they advise the primary pursuing unit “EAGLE 1 has the pursuit.” In some cases, if a pursuit is in a dense residential area, and the pursuit continually changes directions and streets, it may be necessary for ground units to call out small side streets, while EAGLE 1 maintains over-watch for major streets, intersections, traffic, and pedestrians.

When describing a residence, include colors, types and colors of vehicle, number of houses from a corner, and what side of the street the house is located on. In many cases, EAGLE 1 may arrive prior to ground units, and if possible, this information can be obtained from the caller.

Pilots: The unit is staffed with four pilots. Three helicopter pilots and one fixed wing pilot. The pilot is the final authority in all matters related to flight and flight safety. All of the pilots are Commercial rated. Pilots are sworn Deputies and are selected from the current staff of TFOs.

Tactical Flight Officers: The Tactical Flight Officer is responsible for all matters related to the law enforcement mission, including the operation of law enforcement radios, the spotlight, and thermal camera. In rescue situations, the TFO will be the one physically performing the rescue whether it is exiting the helicopter on foot, riding on the skid, or from the line hooked to the helicopter. The TFO will also be the one to exit the helicopter in the event EAGLE 1 lands for law enforcement activity. The TFOs and pilots also carry their AR-15 rifles and are trained to employ Airborne Use of Force Tactics from the air. All Flight crews are sworn Deputies Sheriffs.