Air Support

Unit History

In 1972, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office started the Air Support Unit with the purchase of a brand new Bell 47 helicopter. Bell 47 helicopters were used extensively by the U.S. Army during the Korean War for medical evacuation of soldiers wounded in combat. This little helicopter is seen in the opening credits of the 1970‘s hit TV series “MASH“. The Sheriff’s helicopter, affectionately nicknamed “Little Hal” after local reporter Hal Lafoon, flew patrol missions until 1975. In 1975, Little Hal crashed while patrolling the Kern River Canyon when it struck electric aerial wires inside the mouth of the canyon. The helicopter was destroyed but, thankfully, both crewmembers survived.

Following the destruction of the Bell 47, the department purchased a Hughes 500C. This helicopter flew until 1978 when the Air Unit was deactivated due to the lack of funding. In 1984, the Air Unit was reinstated. A Bell 206B, commonly known as the Jet Ranger, was leased and used until 1987 at which time the department purchased two new MD 500E helicopters equipped with Spectrolab SX-16 searchlights.

The new MD 500E helicopters, upgraded and enhanced versions of the Hughes 500C, are still being flown today. These two helicopters, although over 30-years-old, have been maintained by a dedicated staff of aircraft mechanics lead by Adam Valdez, Supervisor of Aircraft Maintenance. Due to meticulous maintenance, they still fly the skies over Kern County.

In 1987 the Sheriff’s Office seized a Cessna Turbo Centurion T-210N fixed wing airplane through the asset forfeiture process during a narcotics investigation. It is still in use today for investigative operations and administrative transport.

In 1990 the department purchased two FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) thermal imagers for the helicopters. Even though they are no longer considered state-of- the art imagers, they are still used by the unit and are invaluable tools used in the apprehension of criminals and surveillance operations. These FLIR units will eventually be replaced with the latest thermal imaging systems which offer better capabilities.

In 1997, the Sheriff’s Office obtained two Bell OH-58A+ helicopters from the United States Department of Defense, through the California Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning. The military equivalent to the civilian Bell Jet Ranger, these two helicopters were in excellent condition having served with the Army National Guard in South Dakota. They were obtained at no cost to the County of Kern. Each of these helicopters were re-furbished, in-house, and painted using the Air Unit’s white, green, and gold paint scheme. Like both previously purchased MD 500E helicopters, these OH-58A+ helicopters are meticulously maintained. They also use the same Spectrolab SX-16 searchlights and FLIR imaging systems. One MD 500E and one OH-58A+ are currently outfitted with an external load hook and are used for long-line operations. Each year, hundreds of thousands of marijuana plants are removed from illegal marijuana grows, usually in the mountainous areas of Kern, using the helicopters equipped with the external hooks.

In 2001, the department received a state grant from the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning to purchase a brand-new Cessna Turbo Stationair T-206H fixed wing aircraft. This airplane is used for investigative operations and is equipped with the latest in surveillance equipment, including a GyroCam broadcast quality camera with night vision capabilities.

In 2006 the unit began using the latest in night vision goggles, ANVIS-9, for nighttime helicopter operations. These goggles, also used by the four US military branches, were purchased with a grant from the office of the US Department of Homeland Security. These goggles afford the aircrews with enhanced safety and capabilities that were not enjoyed before.

In 2007, Sheriff Donny Youngblood approached the Kern County Board of Supervisors and requested the funds to purchase a new medium lift helicopter. Sheriff Youngblood saw the need for a larger helicopter with more power and lift capabilities than the four smaller helicopters currently in the unit’s inventory. Bell’s Huey II was chosen to fill the medium lift roll. This helicopter allows more personnel to be transported at one time and is equipped with a Goodrich external hoist used for rescue operations. It is also equipped with a “fast-rope” system which allows for quick insertion of the Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. The Huey II, because of better performance in high altitude and high temperature operations, offers more capabilities and safety for the aircrew and personnel involved.

In 2012, the Sheriff’s Office obtained a twin Turbo Commander 690A to assist with ever increasing demands for administrative transport and fixed wing missions.

Aircraft & Equipment

Fixed Wing Aircraft

Cessna Turbo Centurion T-210 N
Cessna Turbo Stationair T-206H
Turbo Commander 690A

Rotorcraft

Two- MD 500E
Two- Bell OH-58A+
Bell Huey II

Equipment

Spectrolab SX-26 searchlights
FLIR Systems 2000AB thermal imager and monitors
FLIR Systems 8500 thermal imagers with Macro-Blue 12 inch Monitors
Churchill Mapping Systems

Air Support's Favorite Links

Airborne Law Enforcement Assocation Home Page
County of Kern Government Services
The Police Officer's Internet Directory
The California Peace Officers' Memorial