Eagle Copters Ltd. Supports San Diego County Sheriff Department Aviation Unit – Astrea, on Fire and Rescue Missions “We have flown these helicopters in some of the worse fire conditions imaginable and they have always completed the mission.”–Tony Webber, Senior Fire/Rescue Pilot
CALGARY –San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is a law enforcement agency that has an aviation unit providing aerial support commonly known as ASTREA. The Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies – ASTREA, was established in 1971 by the late sheriff John Duffy. The unit started operating three (3) Bell 47 helicopters purchased with a federal grant. Over the past 48 years, ASTREA has evolved into professional airborne law enforcement and fire rescue unit, highly respected throughout the country. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit – ASTREA, operates a fleet of
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nine helicopters. Of the nine helicopters, four are MD500 series helicopters and two are Bell 407 helicopters, which are primarily dedicated to law enforcement support. Three helicopters (Bell 205 A1++) are primarily dedicated to fire suppression/search and rescue operations. The relationship between Eagle Copters and ASTREA, started around 2003 when the Cedar fire in San Diego burned more than 273,000 acres and people lost their homes, soon after this unfortunate event the first two of San Diego’s Bell 205 fire- rescue helicopters were ordered. The unit took delivery of the two machines in 2005, and its most senior pilots began training to fly hoist rescue and initial attack fire missions.
