State Police Get New Helicopters

The Pennsylvania State Police on Tuesday took delivery of two new Bell 407GX helicopters, the first of a total of six.

“We operate six aviation patrol units across the state and provide aerial support to all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies within the state,” said Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan.

The State Police have had an airborne law-enforcement team since 1969.

The new helicopters "provide real-time situational awareness to incident commanders and first responders during times of critical incidents or disasters," the State Police said.

The new helicopters will. among other things, enable State Police to pinpoint exact ground locations from the air.

“It is very important that we have modern, reliable and mission-ready helicopters to patrol and serve the citizens of the commonwealth,” Noonan said.