Fontana police training draws 13 Southland helicopter crews
More than a dozen pilots flew helicopters into San Bernardino’s
San Manuel Stadium on Thursday for the Fontana Police Department’s first
regional fly-in training for law enforcement air support teams.
Though Fontana has had helicopter coverage through the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and private contractors in the past, the city has had its own air support team for only 1 1/2 years.
“Now that we’ve got the first year under our belt, we thought we’d host it,” said Fontana police Sgt. Kelly Binks.
Helicopter crews from Los Angeles, El Monte, Hawthorne, Riverside, Ontario, Pomona and Pasadena police, as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol in the Inland Empire and Fullerton flew in for the training. Robinson Helicopter Co. also brought a helicopter, and Fontana police parked its two helicopters in the stadium.
Fontana police Lt. James Escarpe called law enforcement aviation a “profession within a profession” and that it’s important for flight personnel to stay on top of training.
“A single aircraft can act essentially as 10 officers on the ground in certain circumstances,” he said.
Southern California air support teams normally attend fly-in events hosted by the Pasadena Police Department in the spring. Binks said Fontana police consulted with Pasadena in planning their event, since they’ve been holding it about 24 years.
“Any time officers can get together on a regional basis, it’s a good thing,” said Pasadena police Sgt. Mark Goodman, a supervisor with his department’s aviation unit.
Leading Thursday’s training was Los Angeles police Officer Jack Schonely, a nationally renowned aviation trainer for law enforcement. He discussed crew resource management, pursuit and containment techniques, along with new technology.
Fontana police presented a check to Robinson Helicopter during the event for the purchase of what will be Fontana Police Department’s third helicopter.
The $900,000 aircraft, expected to be used starting early next year, will cost about $1.2 million once all of its equipment is installed. The department is using asset-seizure funds to purchase and equip the helicopter, Binks said.
The new Robinson 66 turbine-engine helicopter will be used to patrol Fontana, Colton, Rialto and Redlands. Colton and Rialto police provide full-time police officers for the aviation unit. Redlands police plan to reciprocate by patrolling Fontana during the daytime with their fixed-wing Cessna.
Colton police flight Officer Robert Vega, who patrols with Fontana’s aviation officers, said the new aircraft will be a welcome addition.
“It’s definitely going to give us more coverage seven days a week,” he said.
Though Fontana has had helicopter coverage through the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and private contractors in the past, the city has had its own air support team for only 1 1/2 years.
“Now that we’ve got the first year under our belt, we thought we’d host it,” said Fontana police Sgt. Kelly Binks.
Helicopter crews from Los Angeles, El Monte, Hawthorne, Riverside, Ontario, Pomona and Pasadena police, as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol in the Inland Empire and Fullerton flew in for the training. Robinson Helicopter Co. also brought a helicopter, and Fontana police parked its two helicopters in the stadium.
Fontana police Lt. James Escarpe called law enforcement aviation a “profession within a profession” and that it’s important for flight personnel to stay on top of training.
“A single aircraft can act essentially as 10 officers on the ground in certain circumstances,” he said.
Southern California air support teams normally attend fly-in events hosted by the Pasadena Police Department in the spring. Binks said Fontana police consulted with Pasadena in planning their event, since they’ve been holding it about 24 years.
“Any time officers can get together on a regional basis, it’s a good thing,” said Pasadena police Sgt. Mark Goodman, a supervisor with his department’s aviation unit.
Leading Thursday’s training was Los Angeles police Officer Jack Schonely, a nationally renowned aviation trainer for law enforcement. He discussed crew resource management, pursuit and containment techniques, along with new technology.
Fontana police presented a check to Robinson Helicopter during the event for the purchase of what will be Fontana Police Department’s third helicopter.
The $900,000 aircraft, expected to be used starting early next year, will cost about $1.2 million once all of its equipment is installed. The department is using asset-seizure funds to purchase and equip the helicopter, Binks said.
The new Robinson 66 turbine-engine helicopter will be used to patrol Fontana, Colton, Rialto and Redlands. Colton and Rialto police provide full-time police officers for the aviation unit. Redlands police plan to reciprocate by patrolling Fontana during the daytime with their fixed-wing Cessna.
Colton police flight Officer Robert Vega, who patrols with Fontana’s aviation officers, said the new aircraft will be a welcome addition.
“It’s definitely going to give us more coverage seven days a week,” he said.
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