FIRST TWO NEW STATE POLICE HELICOPTERS TO BE DELIVERED TODAY

(MIDDLE RIVER, MD) – The first two new Maryland State Police helicopters are expected to be delivered this afternoon to Aviation Command Headquarters at Martin State Airport. The AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters have passed all required Federal Aviation inspections and certifications. They will be flown to the State Police Aviation Command and are expected to arrive between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The new helicopters are the first of the ten contracted for with AgustaWestland to replace Maryland’s current fleet of 11 helicopters, ten of which are more than 20 years old. The new helicopters will enable the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to continue its unique multiple mission capability of medevac, search and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security.

Two additional helicopters are expected to arrive tomorrow and another two will be delivered Wednesday. Aviation Command personnel will immediately begin extensive training on the new aircraft to familiarize themselves with the aerial and medical capabilities provided. The helicopters will be deployed to one of seven helicopter sections at a time. The first of the new aircraft is not expected to be flying actual medevacs and law enforcement missions until late spring or early summer.