Fairfax County Police Department News

Fairfax County, VA – The Fairfax County Police Department’s Helicopter Division delivers vital support for medical emergencies, police missions, and a diverse range of critical incidents. Completing over 1,300 missions in 2023 alone, this division works as the department’s “eyes in the sky” to locate missing persons and investigate crimes throughout the County.

Who We Are

The Helicopter Division consists of a dedicated and highly skilled team of professionals. Led by a police Captain as Commander, the unit also includes an Operational Medical Director who oversees medical protocols and ensures the highest standards of care during aeromedical missions. The team also includes a Second Lieutenant supervising eight Tactical Flight Officers, a Chief Pilot supervising five Pilots and a full-time Aviation Mechanic.

What We Do

The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division provides tactical police aviation support, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, and other specialized air support as needed within Fairfax County and the National Capital Region.

The most frequent missions involve assisting officers in investigating crimes or critical incidents in progress such as robbery, burglary, vehicle or person pursuits, and searching for critical missing persons.

History and Operations

The Helicopter Division was initially formed in 1972 with a helicopter donated by a local businessman, but operations were suspended in 1975. In 1983, the division was reformed as a part-time operation with two helicopters, based out of Dulles International Airport. Initially, they provided aeromedical transport, traffic reporting and law enforcement support. As operations increased, they ramped up to round-the-clock staffing with a crew consisting of a pilot, a police officer/paramedic, and a flight nurse from INOVA Fairfax Hospital before moving to their current location in 1985. In 1991, INOVA Fairfax Hospital separated from the unit, and the flight nurse was replaced with a second police officer/paramedic, a configuration that remains in place today.

Weather Conditions and Safety

Safety is paramount in all their operations. Pilots and crew continuously monitor weather conditions to ensure safe flights. They operate under basic Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which require a minimum ceiling of 1000 feet and three statute miles of visibility. The unit constantly assesses weather conditions for both outbound and return flights to ensure the safety of their crew, aircraft, and the community.

Advanced Technology

The unit’s fleet consists of two Bell 429 Global Rangers equipped with advanced technology to enhance mission effectiveness. Their MX-15 camera system features daylight and infrared (IR) capabilities based on thermal and heat signatures. The Shotover ARS-750 offers real-time augmented reality mapping, while their video provides a live feed to their officers and the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). For nighttime operations, they use night vision goggles (NVG) to enhance flight safety. The Trakka TLX search light can illuminate scenes from 1000 feet above ground level. Additionally, they are equipped with a PA system and siren for public messaging, and a rescue water stick for water rescues.

Training and Selection

These officers undergo rigorous training to join the Helicopter Unit. This includes a competitive selection process, three months of EMT school, ten months of paramedic school, and three months of Helicopter Division flight training. This is the longest required training period in the Fairfax County Police Department.

Are you interested in making a difference and becoming a sworn member of our Helicopter Division? Start your FCPD career here. For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.