1360 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 268-3372

Air Support Unit

EAGLE 1 and EAGLE 2 (Enhanced Air Ground Law Enforcement)

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.

On-Board Equipment

The FLIR 380-HDc is one of the most advanced cameras available to Law Enforcement. The Thermal Imager is often said to be able to “see heat.” This is true to a point, but not accurate. All objects give off infrared radiation, which in turn produces infrared light that cannot be seen by the human eye.

Higher temperatures give off more infrared radiation. The imager cannot see through walls or glass, but if an object, such as a person is leaning against the interior wall of a building for a length of time, the heat may soak through to the exterior, showing a warm spot against the wall.

The FLIR gimbal also houses a HD color camera and low-light camera with continuous zoom for uninterrupted viewing. The system delivers unparalleled stabilized HD multi-spectral imaging that can be recorded.

The laser illuminator allow operators to covertly “light up” targets or points of interest to coordinating observers wearing night vision goggles.

EAGLE 3

EAGLE 3 is the department's fixed-wing surveillance airplane. The airplane is a 2002 Cessna Turbo 206 Stationair. The airplane is equipped with patrol radios, digital video recorder and a Gyrocam high altitude camera system that is capable of observing and video recording activity from as high as 11,000 ft. It can stay airborne for up to 3 ½ hours. The airplane is also used for SAR missions as a communications relay platform or for a search platform in the event that the helicopters may not be able to respond due to weather in the valley. The airplane is fully instrument capable and is equipped with an in-flight navigation and auto-pilot systems that allow the airplane to fly in zero visibility.

Rescue Techniques

EAGLE 1 uses a rescue technique known as long line rescue. The technique, simplified, is to attach a 75 ft rope to the external belly cargo hook and the TFO to the other end. The pilot can then fly the TFO to the victim. The TFO then secures the victim either with a harness or in a stokes litter and then the victim and Flight Officer are flown to an area where further medical care can be provided if necessary.

Another rescue method is a type of longline rescue using a “Cinch Collar”. This is used to rescue victims trapped in a river or lake primarily. The TFO, standing on the skid of the hovering helicopter, lowers a type of life preserver to the victim, and to the victim, who is then lifted out of the water and taken to shore.

If necessary, the TFO can also stand on the skid, as the helicopter hovers directly above the surface. The Flight Officer can then grab the victim and help them either onto the skid or, if necessary, into the helicopter. The crew of EAGLE 1 routinely trains on and employs all of these rescue techniques.

EAGLE 1 does not provide medical transport except in cases of extreme emergency and when no other option for medical care is available. In that case, the patient would be transported to the nearest medical care.

Night Vision Goggles (NVGs)

Both the Pilot and TFO are trained to fly with NVGs. Fresno County Sheriff and Kern County Sheriff are the only Law Enforcement agencies in Central California who use Night Vision Goggles. We use the ANVIS-9 Generation 3. The NVGs are designed to enhance the surrounding ambient light several thousand times and then create a picture. The NVGs are operated by a battery pack worn on the back of the helmet. NVGs allow the crew to operate in darkness with greater safety, and also allow us to fly into the mountains at night if necessary with far less risk. Because of this equipment, EAGLE 1 is the only law enforcement helicopter in the Central Valley that flies into the mountains at night. EAGLE 1 has successfully completed several rescues of lost hikers in what would appear to the naked eye as total darkness by using NVGs.
Photo taken in total darkness.
Photo taken in total darkness.

Response Time Map

EAGLE 1 patrols Fresno County, supporting any Law Enforcement agency in the county that makes a request through the Watch Commander. EAGLE 1 is also available to agencies outside Fresno County on a case by case basis and is evaluated by the ASU chain of command and the Watch Commander. When requesting EAGLE 1, if at all possible given the circumstances, giving the crew prior notice, such as on a search warrant, attempt pick up, etc. will allow us to be on scene or in the area when you need us. The map to the left gives a breakdown of response time with each ring representing approximately 5 minutes of flight time without factoring in weather considerations.

Tips for working with EAGLE

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.

Flight Crew

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.

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