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AZDPS

Arizona aerial troopers ready for action   

By Brent Bundy

Published on: April 20, 2023
Estimated reading time 27 minutes, 2 seconds.

Covering a wide array of operational conditions, the Aviation Bureau of the Arizona Department of Public Safety is responding 24/7 with a growing fleet of Bell 429 helicopters.

As its moniker implies, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) is responsible for the welfare of the residents of the Grand Canyon State. The troopers are tasked with watching over everything from the snow-capped peaks of Flagstaff to the north, down through the Valley of the Sun and the capital city of Phoenix, and into the vast Sonoran Desert to the southwest along the border of Mexico. As the sixth largest state by area, there are nearly 114,000 square miles (295,000 square kilometers) to patrol. This would be an insurmountable task if not for the efforts of the AZDPS Aviation Bureau.

AZDPS
A Bell 429 on patrol over Bartlett Lake, northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. Brent Bundy Photo

Two years before the Wright Brothers took that trailblazing flight over the sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the first efforts at law enforcement were introduced into the wild west territory of Arizona. In 1901, the governor established the Arizona Rangers to address the problems of smuggling and livestock rustling. That founding force lasted just eight years. Arizona transitioned from territory to statehood in 1912, but it would be 19 years before an official law enforcement operation was designated. With a superintendent, a desk sergeant, and 14 patrolmen, the Arizona Highway Patrol was the genesis of the organization that exists today.

In 1969, the governor combined a variety of state agencies, including the Highway Patrol, under one banner — the Arizona Department of Public Safety. As the state has grown, so has the DPS. From that first handful of Arizona Rangers, there are now over 2,100 employees statewide, spread among a variety of support functions, including highway patrol, criminal investigations, technology services, and many more.

Even before the AZDPS received its official designation, the benefits of aviation were being realized. In 1962, the first state-flown aircraft took to the skies. Initially, the fleet was simply a few small airplanes used for transportation and limited observation.

AZDPS
Trooper paramedic Michael Allen operating the Collins Aerospace Goodrich hoist, inserting trooper paramedic Edgar Bissonnette during mountain rescue training. Brent Bundy Photo

As the Vietnam War was at its peak in the mid-1960s, the use of helicopters became pivotal for military operations. It wasn’t long before the value to stateside law enforcement would become evident. Rotary-wing aircraft were added to the AZDPS as part of a joint venture project with Arizona State University in 1969. The Air Medical Evacuation System (AMES) was a $300,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant-funded study to evaluate the applicability of vertical-lift aircraft to the role of public safety in the state. The result was a resounding success, in both criminal surveillance and medical evacuation assignments. Thus, in 1972, the AZDPS Aviation Bureau was established and has been in continuous service ever since.

The first helicopters to join the bureau were single-engine Fairchild Hiller FH-1100s, based at Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ) in Mesa, Arizona. Two Hillers were used in the AMES study and carried over, along with the five pilots, to the now-permanent operation. It would be another six years before medics were specifically trained for the specialties of in-flight duties, a position still staffed as part of the flight crew. As technology advanced and demand increased throughout the 1970s, additional bases were opened across the state and the Hillers were replaced with Bell 206 JetRangers. Over the subsequent decades, the JetRangers were swapped out for LongRangers before settling into the current fleet.

AZDPS
Based in north Phoenix, this Bell 429 is staff by (from left) trooper paramedics Neil Wiliamson, Edgar Bissonnette, and Michael Allen, as well as trooper pilot Scott Clifton. Brent Bundy Photo

Into the modern era

At the turn of the 21st century, the Aviation Bureau once again turned to Bell for the next generation of helicopters. Over the next several years, the entire fleet would be modernized with the addition of the Bell 407, the newest single-engine offering in the class. By this time, the air unit had also increased its operational footprint and was servicing the state from four bases in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Kingman. In addition, they utilize a designated maintenance facility at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Historically, fixed-wing aircraft outnumbered the rotary wings in the hangar. Recently, there has been a reversal of that trend. They now operate two Beechcraft King Airs — a 200 and a 250. Unlike some agencies that employ airplanes for surveillance, their assignment at AZDPS is restricted to transport. Based at Sky Harbor, missions are primarily for government officials and equipment.

AZDPS
A Bell 407 short haul operation with a rescue swimmer working as a spotter for the pilot on approach to the victim. Brent Bundy Photo

Although the 407 is a formidable aircraft, the variety of environments across Arizona can prove challenging, particularly the excessive heat and high altitudes of its mountainous regions. To combat this, after an extensive evaluation process, the AZDPS accepted delivery of its first Bell 429 twin-engine helicopter in 2017. Seeking a more capable aircraft, the 429 checked all the boxes for search-and-rescue (SAR) and law enforcement equipment. The laundry list of technology includes Garmin GTN750/650 avionics, Churchill (now Shotover) augmented reality mapping, Technisonic TDFM-9000 radio, WESCAM MX-10 imaging platform, Trakka Systems TrakkaBeam searchlight, RHOTHETA RT-600 wide-band direction finder, and satellite telephone.

The single-pilot certified 429 with its four-axis autopilot adds a great deal of confidence and assistance to the crews. Night vision goggles (NVGs) are standard equipment for all team members, including medics. For the medical side of the house, the 429 can carry all basic lifesaving gear. Completing the missions often involves the 600-pound-rated Collins Aerospace Goodrich hoist and the Axnes wireless intercom system. Completion of the ship was performed by Hangar One in Carlsbad, California.

AZDPS
Pilot Dave Marrama (center) inspects the connections as the Western Air Rescue (WAR) team rigs the aircraft for annual Bambi Bucket fire training in northern Arizona. Brent Bundy Photo

Talented people

Chief pilot Lowell Neshem is the second highest ranking pilot in the Aviation Bureau, a role he has prepared for much of his life. “Since the beginning of my flying career, I viewed AZDPS as the ultimate goal,” he told Vertical Valor during a recent visit. An Arizona native, Neshem’s first exposure to helicopters was as a young boy growing up on a ranch in the northern portion of the state.

“A Bell 47 spent a week at our ranch gathering donkeys as part of a Bureau of Land Management operation. I was intrigued by that machine so, after my four-year enlistment in the U.S. Navy, I began my pursuit of a flying career,” he recalled.

Neshem’s more than 6,000 flight hours certainly qualify him for his position. “I’ve worked as a flight instructor in Idaho, a tour and utility pilot in Alaska, and an emergency medical services (EMS) pilot in Arizona. That background has given me ideal experience for my role with the DPS,” he said. “I first joined in 2013, when I was assigned to the Flagstaff base, then transferred to the Deer Valley [Phoenix] base in 2016 where I have been since.”

AZDPS
Dipping the Bambi Bucket into the “pumpkin,” a portable buoy wall for water filling when natural sources aren’t available. Brent Bundy Photo

When discussing the role and impact that the Aviation Bureau has on his home state, Neshem is quick to give credit to the talented pilots under his command. “We have great people here, and the best flying. We cover a very diverse landscape, from low deserts to 12,000-foot [3,600-meter] mountains, and that can be demanding on our aircraft and our personnel,” he said. “We respond anywhere in the state for all types of emergencies, including for our troopers and other rural police agencies. Our mission includes aerial law enforcement and technical rescue support to all 15 counties across Arizona. The addition of the 429 has also added hoist operations for both day and night. Often, we are the only option for those in need, whether it be officers on the ground or civilians in an emergency.”

Neshem’s people are spread across the four aviation posts. At each location is a base supervisor who oversees the pilots and medics assigned there. All paramedics are sworn state troopers, while the pilots are hired as civilians. Ideally, there would be a pilot and two medics per flight, but staffing issues often prevent that.

AZDPS
Pilot Dave Marrama prepares to launch for another round of water drops during training. Brent Bundy Photo

“We are currently promoting paramedics from our trooper ranks and we’re always looking for pilots,” Neshem remarked. “The shortages in the industry have affected us just like everyone else. The situation even has us looking into hiring non-sworn paramedics to fill the gaps.”

All crews work 24-hour shifts with a required six shifts per month. Aircraft remain at their bases until called out. Routine patrol is not a normal part of their duties. When the call does come in, the teams are well-equipped for whatever they may face. Ensuring the crews are ready for those calls falls to trooper pilot Scott Clifton. The third-generation Arizonan was raised in the aviation world.

“My dad flew helicopters in Vietnam and then as a news pilot in Phoenix for over 30 years. He also started a flight school at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, which is where I got my start, cleaning airplanes in exchange for flight lessons,” Clifton recalled. If it flies, Clifton has probably piloted it. “I got my licenses in sailplanes, hot air balloons, fixed wings, and then rotor wings. I had my pilot’s license before my driver’s license.”

AZDPS
The Southern Air Rescue team conducting annual water training with one of its Bell 407s. Brent Bundy Photo

His desire to head down the helicopter pathway likely resulted from the stick time his father provided when Clifton was a teenager. After working as an airborne news photographer with his dad, eventually they swapped roles and Clifton took over pilot duties. He continued in that capacity for 16 years until joining AZDPS in 2013.

“Back when I was flying for the news, we covered the entire state, so I was meeting DPS pilots at scenes all the time. They kept pushing me to join them and I finally gave in,” he said.

Until recently, all AZDPS pilots were hired as civilians and then sent through the police academy to become sworn troopers. Now, pilots are no longer law enforcement trained. What has not changed is the experience level for new aviators.

AZDPS
AZDPS aircraft like this 429 are outfitted with equipment on par to what a ground-responding rescue unit would carry. Brent Bundy Photo

“Although we have a minimum requirement of 2,000 hours, our average pilot hire has between 4,000 and 5,000 hours and over 10 years of in the industry,” Clifton explained. With the extensive repertoire of mission types they fly, the broad experience base is a necessity. “We do everything from EMS, law enforcement, NVG flying, SAR, hoist, short-haul, and more. Because of that, it helps to bring in pilots who have those skills already under their belts.”

Once hired and run through the training programs, pilots are assigned to one of the four bases. While the goal is to always have all four locations on-call, that is often not possible. “Like most sectors of the aviation world, we have been impacted by hiring difficulties, especially with the quality of pilots we’re looking for,” Clifton said.

AZDPS
Recon during approach for desert fire suppression and rescue. Brent Bundy Photo

Even with these challenges, at least two bases are always ready to respond. However, not all flying is for emergency response. “Although we don’t fly routine patrol, we do an extensive amount of training. Almost every shift there is some sort of exercise,” he said. Formal instruction includes annual Bell factory training for the 407s. “Bell pilots come to us for day and night recurrencies, including NVG flights and full touchdown auto-rotations.”

In addition to those requirements, the specialties of the 429 require a trip to Bell’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility for flights, as well as simulator work. With longer and more severe forest fire seasons, AZDPS pilots stay at the ready with annual fire training with Bambi Buckets and swift-water rescue practice. To gather the teams together and discuss various issues, a two-day safety stand-down is held yearly.

AZDPS
Hoist training in the mountains of central Arizona with a Bell 429. Brent Bundy Photo

Medical mission

The AZDPS may be viewed as primarily a law enforcement entity due to its large volume of highway patrol activity. However, the mission of the Aviation Bureau is focused on SAR, most often with emergency medical intervention required. Handling that role are the onboard medics.

Trooper paramedic Michael Allen was born and raised in Arizona but moved to the Las Vegas area to pursue his lifelong desire to be a firefighter. “It’s what I always wanted to do. Once I got into the field, the rescue work became my passion,” he said.

After returning to Arizona, he continued his firefighting career, always leaning toward the rescue function. Allen was also fascinated with flying, so he kept an eye open for an opportunity to combine the two. Everything came together when, at the behest of a fellow firefighter, he participated in a ride-along with AZDPS. During that visit, he was told that the Aviation Bureau badly needed medics. That’s all he needed to hear – Allen joined as a trooper in 2017.

AZDPS
From left are trooper paramedics Neil Williamson and Edgar Bissonnette returning to the Phoenix Deer Valley base after a rescue mission. Brent Bundy Photo

His good fortune continued when he was in the police academy and the medic need reached critical status. Upon graduation and three months of obligatory road work as a trooper, Allen was transferred to the Aviation Bureau, the first new-hire to be assigned to a specialty unit directly out of the academy.

Allen’s passion for his work is palpable during discussions of his duties. “We have a responsibility to the public. We are one of the busiest hoist operators in the world and that demands that we have the best equipment, best pilots, and best training for the job,” he proclaimed.

The hoist rescue training that Allen and the other rescue medics receive is from Arizona-based Priority 1 Air Rescue. Not only are they tasked with retrieving patients from precarious situations, but they must also treat a wide variety of injuries.

AZDPS
The Western Air Rescue (WAR) base in Kingman, Arizona, is one of four bases strategically located across the state. Brent Bundy Photo

“We can handle pretty much anything that a ground-based emergency response can. Because of that, we are required to maintain a high level of proficiency,” Allen explained. The skills of the paramedics are assured with extensive initial training and recurrent sessions on both medical and hoist operations. “Our commitment to safety requires that we demonstrate all phases of our mission profile every three months.”

Crews are held to a level of expertise that is essential, he added. “We hoist and provide lifesaving care almost daily, across the entire state. The service we offer is a necessity. The skills our people learn and are held to are integral to not only our safety, but that of the people we help. We are as safe as you can be while doing dangerous things.”

AZDPS
Trooper paramedic Phil Castellano in cold-water gear during water rescue training near Tucson, Arizona. Brent Bundy Photo

Repair responsibilities

The monumental task of keeping the AZDPS fleet flying falls to the maintenance section, based at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. One of the more seasoned personnel is mechanic Mike Hamilton. After a lengthy career in the helicopter field, Hamilton joined AZDPS 18 years ago. “I had been working for a repair station here in The Valley and they were moving their operation to Texas. I had also been part-time with DPS so, not wanting to leave the state, it was a natural, easy transition,” he recalled.

Hamilton is one of three full-time helicopter mechanics, along with a supervisor. Also at the Phoenix base are two airplane mechanics, one full-time and one part-time.

“We complete most everything here in-house,” Hamilton explained. “We don’t do major engine work or overhauls but can handle pretty much everything else, including sheet metal and avionics.” The shortages across the industry have also impacted the Aviation Bureau. “It’s difficult for everyone right now. We are constantly on the lookout for qualified personnel. While we may need people, we refuse to lower our requirements and hire underqualified people. We have a duty to the pilots, the crews, and the citizens and we can’t let any of them down.”

AZDPS
AZDPS Aviation Bureau’s primary maintenance operations are completed at its base, located at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Brent Bundy Photo

Expanded fleet

The success of the Aviation Bureau and its contribution to the state of Arizona is well documented. As the mission profile changes and calls for service increase, they know they must be prepared for whatever may come. Support for the operation comes from the top down and it is unwavering. “We are trusted with the mission, and it is up to us to make the go/no-go call on every single incident,” Clifton said. “Our management is 100% supportive of us and what we do.”

Management has also recognized the impact that the Bell 429 has had on statewide response, in both safety and lifesaving. To that end, a second 429 has been acquired and a third was recently approved in the state budget, with plans for acceptance in 2023. “That aircraft has been a complete game-changer for us. We are excited with the added capabilities we will have with more of them in the fleet,” Clifton said.

For 50 years, the airborne troopers of the AZDPS have provided lifesaving SAR services. The backing of the state’s elected officials by providing funding for the best equipment and training available, along with steadfast dedication by the crews, ensures that wherever help is needed across Arizona, assistance will be on the way.

AZDPS
One of two Bell 429 light twin-engine helicopters providing police and rescue services throughout Arizona. Brent Bundy Photo

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