NorCal ALEO - Press Releases

Congratulations Monterey County Sheriffs !!

Sheriff Mike Kanalakis is proud to announce that the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has acquired a helicopter to better serve the citizens of Monterey County. The Sheriff's Tactical Airborne Response (STAR) will be a great addition to the Office of the Sheriff.

A press conference will be held at the Verticare - Air Trails facility located at 280 Mortensen Avenue in Salinas, which is just east of the main building at the Salinas Airport, on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 1:00 PM. Sheriff Kanalakis will be proud to show everyone our new helicopter and explain how it will be used. The helicopter will be present at the press conference.

After 3-1/2 years of research and working on this project, the Monterey County Office of the Sheriff will have two helicopters available for use. The call signs for the two helicopters will be STAR 1 (Robinson R44 primary helicopter) and STAR 2 (Bell Jet Ranger while being used simultaneously or as a back up helicopter). Monterey County is the only Sheriff’s Office in the state using the Robinson R-44 helicopter. Three other cities in California also use the R-44; Fontana, El Monte and San Bernardino. The primary mission of the helicopter will be to support Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations. Secondary missions include Training Missions, Supporting Sheriff’s Office Specialized Units such as SWAT, County of Monterey Marijuana Eradication Team (COMMET), Sheriff’s Narcotics, Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force (GTF), Search and Rescue, Special Events, Transportation, Support to Allied Agencies, etc.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to the Airborne Law Enforcement Organization for your Scholarship Award I recently received. As you know, I am in my third year of study at UC San Diego. While my parents and student loans are taking care of the bulk of my tuition, I have found that I must work very hard in order to purchase books and pay for my room and board. College life is a fine line between work, study and exhaustion. Your recent award was a blessing and came at a very opportune time. I was able to purchase my semester books and even had enough to purchase the recommended ones, not just the required books. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated this award, but hopefully the attached photograph showing the big smile conveys something. Again, I am so sorry that I couldn’t be there in person to accept the award, but I hope this note expresses how grateful I am.

Danielle Beck-Ellsworth

Air surveillance in San Jose initially began in 1969 when a federal grant provided funds for the use of a helicopter to support patrol. When the grant expired in 1970, the program was discontinued. In 1976, members used a personal fixed wing aircraft for surveillance. In 1977 the department leased a Citabri, a fixed wing aircraft that was used until a Cessna 172 was purchased in 1980. In 1991 the City Council approved funding for a helicopter test program. The department leased a Hughes 500 D model helicopter for a twenty-two month study of aerial patrol support. At the end of the study, the decision was made to use asset forfeiture monies to purchase a helicopter for full time patrol support Air1, a McDonnell Douglas MD520N Notarä helicopter was purchased and outfitted with radios, a thirty-million candlepower spotlight and a forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera.

On October 25, 1999 Officer Desmond Casey and Herman Yee (a contract mechanic) were tragically killed when Air1 suffered catastrophic mechanical failure. Two days prior to the accident, Casey and another Air Support Unit pilot were flying near Reid Hillview airport in San Jose when the nose of the helicopter suddenly yawed (turned) approximately 10 degrees. Desmond landed the helicopter at Reid Hillview airport and grounded it until it could be checked for the cause of the sudden and un-commanded yaw. Contract maintenance personnel thoroughly checked the helicopter on Sunday and again on Monday morning, October 25, 1999. There was no explanation for the cause of the sudden yaw. The decision was made Monday afternoon to fly the helicopter back to San Jose airport where further tests could be conducted.

After starting the helicopter, Desmond thoroughly ground tested and then hover tested it at Reid Hillview airport. Desmond announced over the PA system that all of the flight controls appeared to be functioning normally before he and the mechanic departed for San Jose International airport. Very close to San Jose airport, something went terribly wrong. Witnesses reported that the helicopter appeared to porpoise in the air (climb and descend rapidly) and made some popping noises. Other witnesses reported that the helicopter spun out of control. Desmond struggled with the controls and guided the helicopter to a location where no one on the ground was injured. Unfortunately, he was not able to save himself or his passenger. The helicopter landed with such force that it was badly crushed.

Anyone who visited the crash site was struck by the obvious fact that Desmond heroically guided the helicopter to the very end. The helicopter impacted in the very center of a roadway between an apartment building, tall trees, very high wires and a gas station. This could not have been by chance; making it clear to all that Desmond's final act was to guide the helicopter in such a way as to prevent injury to anyone on the ground.

Since the tragic crash, the department has rebuilt the Air Support Unit through the purchase of a new fixed wing aircraft and new patrol helicopter. In September of 2000, the department took delivery of a new Cessna 182 to replace the aging Cessna 172 which provided valuable service for so many years. The new plane is rated for flight in instrument flightconditions. It has a dual axis auto-pilot and can stay airborne for up to six hours. The airplane's greatest asset is its communications capabilities. With programmable multi-band radios, crewmembers are able to talk and relay information from virtually anyone within the greater bay area. The new Cessna carries the registration number of N2705 to honor Officer Casey who's badge number was 2705.

The new Cessna is used today much as the old Cessna had been for over twenty years Fixed wing members conduct surveillance throughout California for criminal cases and narcotics surveillance. Two members are on board, and both are rated pilots. One member serves as the observer and guides the direction of the aircraft, while the Pilot in Command (PIC) is responsible for the airspeed and altitude. The observer talks on the police radios while the PIC talks to Air Traffic Control. Each monitors and backs up the other on radios and scanning for other air traffic. Teamwork is an effective and essential part of every Air Support Unit mission.

In April of 2001, American Eurocopter delivered the department's new EC120B helicopter. Air2 is powered by a Turbomecca Arrius2-F turbine engine, which is rated at 549 shaft horsepower. The eight bladed Fenestron tail rotor is shrouded inside of the vertical stabilizer, which provides increased safety and decreased noise. The Fenestron makes this helicopter the quietest in its class. Top speed for the helicopter is approximately 140 MPH, which enables flight from the southern part of the city to the northern part in approximately four minutes.

The helicopter is equipped with an on-board computer system giving the pilots and tactical observers access to the departmentâs computerized dispatch system as well as a moving map with global positioning system (GPS) interface. A new and upgraded FLIR system was also purchased. This new system has a color camera in the same housing as the FLIR, which is connected to a video downlink system. Much like the news stations can do, Air2 personnel can now dowlink real-time video from the air. This has proven tremendously effective in allowing command officers a ãbirdâs eye viewä of traffic congestion, large and complex perimeters for in-progress crimes, and any large festival or other gathering.

Air2 is painted in the navy blue colors of the San Jose Police Department. It has silver and white striping down the sides with San Jose Police in bold lettering across the tail-boom. The registration number of the helicopter was chosen in order to memorialize the tragic loss of our friend and partner, Desmond Casey 408DC is painted in large white and silver lettering across the top of the helicopter 408 is in reference to the telephone area code for San Jose and the DC portrays Desmond's initials. Our police radio call sign, Air2 is painted on the top (both sides) of the large vertical stabilizer of the tail section.

The Air Support Unit has five full time members and nine collaterally assigned members. Full time and collateral members are all licensed pilots with some members earning flight instructor, instrument and even airline transport ratings.

On Friday, September 8, 2000, the Northern California Airborne Law Enforcement Organization (NORCAL A.L.E.O.) held its annual Air Asset Day and BBQ, hosted by the California Highway Patrol's Golden Gate Air Operations Division at Napa County Airport. With over 160 people attending and many different agencies flying in, the event was a huge success. It gave everyone who operates aircraft for law enforcement in the Bay and Northern Region a chance to meet, share ideas and enjoy some great food.

NORCAL A.L.E.O., now in its 5th year, was formed in an effort to facilitate communications for the air units in northern California. They send out a newsletter and meetings are held on a regular basis. At pres- ent they have 31 agencies in their membership. The day began with the arrival of aircraft, a total of 9 helicopters and about a dozen planes filled the ramp around the CUP hangar. Federal, State, County and City units were all represented. A safety lecture was given by retired LAPD pilot Rick Lawin. Lawin, who spent 22 of his 26 years with the LAPD in the Air Support division, is now an instruc- tor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He made it clear that complacency is a major factor in aircraft accidents. He stressed the importance of cockpit resource management (CRM) as a way to avoid problems. Using excellent video footage he reminded everyone watching what can happen when a pilot is not aware of his surroundings and condi- tions. A certificate of attendance was given out to everyone at the lecture.

Following that, several top brass from the CHP spoke on behalf of their department. Chief Michael Peterson welcomed the group to their flagship aviation facility and expressed his understanding of the need for aviation in policing. He made it clear that he was a firm believer in interagency cooperation. Assistant Commissioner of Field Operations, Doug Orr, announced the CHP's commitment to upgrading its fleet with the planned replacement of many of their fixed wing and helicopters. The plan calls for the replacement of 2 BO-105's and 3 Long Ranger's with Astar B3's over the next few years. The Astu B3 they brought in was set up as a true multi-mission ship. FLIR, SX-16, hoist, it had it all. NORCAL A.L.E.O. President David Tozer (chief pilot, San Jose P.D.) presented two beautiful plaques to the CHP for their contiibu- tion to airborne law enforcement.

Of course, we all know what really brings cops together - free food! An outstanding BBQ was served with all the trimmings. Dessert was truly special, two incredible cakes, one with the NORCAL A.L.E.O. logo on it, the other with an edible photograph of the new CHP AStar. They tasted even better than they looked.

Several vendors were on hand to explain their products and services. Many of them provided door and raffle prizes. Special thanks must be given to them, because without their support, an event like this would not have been so successful. Thanks must also be given to CHP Sgt. Lonte Russell who took care of the logistics for the fly in. For his efforts he was awarded a pair of bright yellow smiley face boxer shorts. Upon receiving them, his smiley face turned bright red.

As the event closed around midafternoon, everybody was clearly pleased and had gained something from being there. A function such as this serves as a reminder that the key to a safe, effective aviation unit is communication and support.

From the November/December, 2000 issue of Air Beat, The Official Journal of the Airborne Law Enforcement Association. Article by Jon Goldin.

The San Jose Police Department will be taking delivery of our new patrol helicopter during the week of March 26, 2001. The police department selected a Eurocopter EC120 as a replacement for the last patrol helicopter which was destroyed October 1999 in a tragic crash which claimed the lives of Chief Pilot Desmond Casey and mechanic Herman Yee. Members of the air support unit will be traveling to Texas for a week of training in the new helicopter. The helicopter will then be flown from Texas back to San Jose by the air support unit members where they will spend another four weeks of training in the new helicopter prior to commencement of patrol support. The new helicopter will have an SX-16 spotlight MDT computer link to the San Jose dispatching system, video downlink, and FLIR to name just a few of the many specialized pieces of equipment on board. The San Jose Police Department is looking forward to once again providing airborne aerial support to patrol officers.