[Scan-DC] Fw: Delaware State Police Aviation Section Open House Slated

[Alan Henney]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Harris Bruce W (DSP) 
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 2:43 PM
Subject: Delaware State Police Aviation Section Open House Slated 


NEWS RELEASE 
DELAWARE STATE POLICE
Superintendent Colonel Robert M. Coupe
Presented by Public Information Officer Cpl/3 Bruce W. Harris
P.O. Box 430| Dover, DE 19903  |    Cell: 302.535.3706 bruce.harris at state.de.us

DSP News Release: Delaware State Police Aviation Section Open House Slated  

Location:  
  a.. Aviation Operations South 
  b.. Sussex County Airport 
  c.. 21365 Rudder Lane Georgetown, Delaware 19947 

DATE and TIME:   
  a.. Saturday October 16, 2010 Noon till 4:00 p.m. 

Anniversary Event:
  a.. 2010 marks the 40th Anniversary for the Delaware State Police Aviation Section and the 25th Anniversary of the Trooper-Medic program.  To celebrate these anniversaries the Aviation Section is inviting the public to attend its Open House.  There will be a Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. to recognize the Anniversaries; there will be current and past members of the Aviation Section and our aviation counterparts.  (Two of the original pilots are slated to attend)  Before and after the Ceremony the media and public are invited to tour the facility. 
  b.. Speakers: 
  c.. Colonel Robert M. Coupe Superintendent Delaware State Police 
  d.. Keynote Speaker Retired Captain Charles Nabb (Original Aviation Unit Member) 
  e.. And Others   

Delaware State Police
Aviation Section History


The Delaware State Police launched itself into the airborne law enforcement arena in 1956 by renting a single engine Cessna airplane.  Troopers were assigned to the airplane on a daily basis to assist the ground units with various law enforcement responsibilities.

It wasn't until 1970, however, that the Delaware State Police actually formed an Aviation Section.  Through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the state police received a Bell Helicopter 206-B Jet Ranger.  Five troopers were assigned to the newly formed section on a full time basis.

By 1985, the section had three Bell 206L-3 helicopters and a single engine fixed wing aircraft.  Troopers were added to the section as Nationally Registered Paramedics and the calls for serviced increased so significantly that the section regionalized into two units, one in Sussex County, and one in New Castle County.

What started as a part time operation utilizing a rented aircraft has grown into a high tech. section comprised of three Bell 407's, a Bell 412 and a single engine Cessna fixed wing aircraft.  25 personnel under the command of Captain Ronald Hagan provide the citizens and visitors to the state a wide range of services, all directed toward the divisions mission.

CHRONOLOGY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DELAWARE STATE POLICE AVIATION SECTION

1956 - Rental of a Cessna single engine fixed wing aircraft, manned by troopers on a part time basis.

1957 - First documented traffic arrest from the air (Occurred in the Lewes area).

1970 - The state police received a grant from the N.H.T.S.A. and took delivery of a Bell 206-B Jet Ranger helicopter.  The Aviation Section was formed, and five troopers were transferred into the section on a full time basis.  Services were limited to 8 hours per day and crews were on call.

1974 - Two more pilots were transferred into the section to allow for 16 hour coverage, seven days a week.

1975 - Helicopter accident.  Aircraft struck wires while trying to land at an accident scene.

1978 - State police received a military surplus "Huey" UH-1.  The section now had two helicopters, both based in Dover.

1980 - State Police purchased a new Cessna 182 single engine fixed wing aircraft.  This aircraft is still in service today.

1981 - The military "Huey" was sold, and a new 1981 Bell 206L-1 Long Ranger was purchased.

1983 - Staffing in the section was increased to 9 pilots.

1984 - Helicopter accident at the Georgetown Airport during a training flight.
         - A new Bell 206L-3 was purchased to replace the damaged aircraft.  The section now has two Bell 206's and 1 fixed wing aircraft.

1985 - Four Troopers are trained as Paramedics and assigned to the section as Trooper-Medics.  The section now has a total of 13 members.  Another Bell 206L-3 is purchased bringing the number of helicopters to 3.  Operations regionalize to New Castle County and Sussex County.  The first F.L.I.R. (forward Looking Infrared) is obtained and used for criminal apprehension as well as search rescue.
         - A 2,500 gallon truck is purchased so bulk fuel can be obtained from the military.

1986 - Four more troopers are trained to be paramedics bringing total section staffing to seventeen.  One helicopter is placed in a hangar at Wilmington Airport and another in a Hangar at Georgetown Airport.  The Section is now providing 16 hour a day Advanced Life Support Coverage to the entire state with a response time of no more than 20 minutes.

1987 - A 1959 Twin Engine Aero Commander is obtained from the military surplus program.  The aircraft was to be used for longer flights, such as prisoner extraditions and personnel transports.

1988 - A non-pilot Captain is added to the section as an administrator.

1992 - Administrative Captain is transferred out of the section, leaving 2 lieutenants, one chief administrator and one chief pilot.

1993 - Over the next year and a half, the section acquired 3 more large fuel trucks, greatly reducing fuel costs to the section.

1994 - On Lieutenant retires, and is not replaced.  The administration now consists of one pilot Lieutenant, two pilot Sergeants and one Trooper-Medic Sergeant.  A new Bell Product, the Long Ranger L-4 was purchased.  This aircraft had greater lift capacity and increased horse power.

1995 - The facility at the Georgetown Airport in Sussex County which had been leased was purchased.  The facility includes hangar, office, bunk room and "ready room".

1996 - The Delaware State Police takes delivery of the new Bell 407 helicopter, the first law enforcement agency in the world to do so.
          - The section is invited to attend the National Airborne Law Enforcement Associations conference in Fort Worth, TX ass and exhibitor.  The Section received national exposure at this event.  The Delaware State Police received an award for 20,000 hours of accident free flying and recognition as the first agency to take delivery of a 407 Helicopter.  This aircraft is slightly larger, much stronger and mush faster than the other aircraft.
          - The legislature allows the state police to keep the oldest helicopter, rather than trade it in which was the common practice to this point.
          - The Aviation Section received a King Air 200 twin engine fixed wing airplane from military surplus.  This airplane has a longer range, more seating capacity and is able to fly in all weather.  The aircraft is use to transport the Governor, divisional personnel, and allows for prisoner extraditions.
          - A new facility is built at Summit Airport in Middletown to house the North Unit of the section.  The building includes a larger hangar to accommodate the growing fleet, office space, conference room, kitchen, "ready room" and bunk rooms.  Prior to this the North Unit was housed in a rented hangar at Wilmington Airport.

1999 - Helicopter Accident at Georgetown Airport as a result of a flight into heavy fog.

2000 - Two new Bell 407's are purchased, one to replace the damaged aircraft and one to replace an aging Bell 206.

2004 - Another new Bell 407 is purchased to replace the last Bell 206.  The Section now operates 4 bell 407's, and 3 fixed wing aircraft.

2006 - The section goes to 24 hour coverage while continuing to operate from two locations.  The section now has a Captain who is a paramedic as the commander, two pilot Sergeants and one Trooper medic Sergeant.  All personnel except the Captain and the Paramedic Commander work the shifts.  The total number assigned to the section is 25.
          - The Section begins working with the U.S. Lifeguard Association on a program to enhance the capabilities Open water rescue along the Delaware Coastline.  Lifeguards are trained in helicopter operations and work with the Aviation Section, acting as Ocean Rescue Swimmers during the peak summer season.

2007 - In December the State Police took delivery of its first Bell 412 which is the sections first twin engine helicopter.  It has much greater lift capacity and power than the Bell 407 and has many more mission capabilities than the 407.  The 412 will provide hoist rescue operations as well as the capability to carry a 5 member tactical component to elevated locations and fast rope operations.

2008 - The Delaware State Police is asked to display the Bell 412 at the Heli-Expo in Houston, TX an International Helicopter trade show.  This once again puts the Delaware State Police and the Aviation Section on display to the world.
         - The Delaware State Police is approved to hire its first Civil Pilot, Mr. Robert McMahon a retired Aviation Section Member.  Mr. McMahon is hired as a casual/Seasonal employee to provide pilot training and proficiency training for all pilots.  
          - The section begins a collaborative program with several organizations including the Delaware Volunteer Fireman's Association, The Wilmington Fire Department and The Delaware State Fire School for a hoist training program which provided training to Paid and Volunteer firefighters and EMT from throughout the state to train and work with the section for the purpose of augmenting the hoist rescue abilities of the section.

2009 - The Section is provided an additional Sergeants position which is specifically developed to oversee Safety and Training as a result of increased regulations and training requirements.
          - The Section was directed to work with the States Division of Surplus property to sell the Twin Engine Aero Commander and the King Air due to budgetary constraints.  These two aircraft had already been ground for over a year as a result of the budgetary issues.
         - Captain Jeffrey Evans is transferred to Command a Troop and Captain Ronald Hagan, a pilot is assigned as the new section commander.  The sections staffing remains at 25.
2010- The Delaware State Police Aviation Section in coordination with the Division of Surplus property auctioned the King Air ($423,000.00) and the Aero Commander ($43,000.00) as a result of cost cutting measures.  Shortly thereafter the sale of Aero Commander the new owner crashed the aircraft on the interstate outside of Jacksonville Florida.  It is believed fuel starvation was the cause of the crash.
-In July Cpl. Eric Hamm was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred out of the aviation section.  
-Cpl. Carol Parton, the Division's First Woman pilot was assigned to the aviation section full time.  
In August Cpl. Sean Wright was assigned to the section as an additional pilot.  At the time of his assignment Cpl. Wright was deployed to Afghanistan flying combat missions in a Blackhawk against the Taliban.  
-A committee is established to review and recommend new aircraft to replace two aging Bell 407's and to come into compliance with NTSB recommendations for HEMS operators and missions capabilities.  
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