its humble two aircraft beginnings. Today the GSP Aviation Division staffing con- sists of a Director of Aviation, Assistant Director, 13 Pilots, 20 Tactical Flight Of- ficers, a Maintenance Supervisor, 3 Avia- tion Maintenance Technicians, and 1 Administrative Assistant. The Unit fleet of helicopters currently consists of 2 UH- 1H Hueys, 3 Bell 407s, 6 OH-58s, 4 Bell 206s and 1 Cessna 182 airplane. The Avi- ation unit has 5 FAA Certified Rotorcraft Instructors and a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner.
Sometimes, it’s not slow, planned
growth that determines the life course of an aviation unit. Occasionally, there are odd twists of fate beyond the control of a program that will determine its future and such is the case with the GSP. In the early
90’s, the decision by the U.S. Olympic Committee to hold the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta would not only place new demands on the growing avia- tion unit, but force them to stretch beyond their comfort zones and provide valuable new services. Fast-forward two decades, and it was clear that those new skills learned in the mid 90’s, were the same skills that defined its value to the State during a time when many agencies were slashing budgets. Skills that have re- mained so productive for the State resi- dents, that GSP has not had to decrease the level of service even during tight times.
During the 1996 Olympic Games,
which were held in Atlanta, the GSP Avi- ation Unit provided 24/7 support and was
the primary aerial security for the Olympic athletes transitioning to and from different events. With the acquisition of UH-1H Hueys and Bell 407s, the unit began pro- viding assistance to the (Georgia State Pa- trol) SWAT Team. This included transport of personnel and equipment to high risk, public danger situations to fast rope, rap- pel, spie rig and airborne sniper platform training. Later on, the Hueys and Bell 407’s were configured to assist state and local authorities in suppressing wildfires, hoist rescues and long line operations. The Bell 407 has become the backbone
of GSP when it comes to aviation assets. When I asked Billy Smith, the Director of Aviation for GSP, why he chose the Bell 407 as their new platform, he replied, “The 407 meets all the requirements for
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