MD Helicopters delivered a new MD 530F helicopter to the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD). As the first MD Helicopters aircraft to join the VBPD’s aviation unit since the unit’s inception, the new MD 530F will be, according to the operator, “an important and reliable addition to the fleet that will provide a better operational efficiency and greater mission versatility“.
The Virginia Beach Police service operates 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, serving the 450,000 citizens living in the city’s 800 square kilometers. The crew consists of two people, support ground agents in performing air patrols, search and rescue, monitoring and evaluation of crime scene and damage. “The Aviation Unit plays an invaluable role in our ability to protect and serve Virginia Beach citizens and visitors,” said Reginald Padgett of the Virginia Beach Police Dept., adding, “As effective command platform in critical situations such as vehicle and suspect prosecution or missing persons search operations, the helicopter unit provides optimal situational awareness that protects both officers and civilians on the ground “.
