The Placer County Sheriff's Department provides Air Support services throughout the County. The unit’s aircraft consist of Falcon 30, Eagle 1, Eagle 2.

Falcon 30 is a Bell OH-58A+, 4-seat helicopter. Powered by an efficient turbine engine, Falcon 30 can cruise at approximately 120 mph, providing immediate response 

Eagle 1, Eagle 2 and Falcon 30

throughout the County. It is equipped with a full avionics package, multichannel communications systems and a high-powered spotlight for night operations.  Falcon 30 is named after Sacramento (CA) Police Officer, Bill Bean, formerly of our Department. Bill was killed in the line of duty on February 9th, 1999 in a Sacramento shooting. Bill was a star football player for the Colfax Falcons and grew up in Placer County. His jersey number was "30." Bill was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Falcon 30's primary purpose is to add air support to the mission of the Sheriff's Department. This is accomplished through assistance in narcotics operations including marijuana eradication, photo surveillance, crime scene photography, crime suppression, search and rescue, routine patrol, and other emergency missions.

Eagle 1 is a Bell OH-58C helicopter, used as a backup to Falcon 30 for missions that support the operations of the Sheriff's Department. 

Eagle 2, is our fixed wing partner in the Air Support Unit. This aircraft is a Piper Navajo twin, capable of long distance, high-speed travel. The primary mission of Eagle 2 is the transportation of prisoners, department administration and other County personnel within California and the Western States.

The Air Support Unit is unique in that it is mostly volunteer in nature. The unit is a highly professional organization comprised of both current and former military and commercial pilots, certified flight mechanics, and other aviation professionals. These volunteers have donated thousands of hours to establish air operations for the Department. Due to their efforts, the Placer County Sheriff's Department is operating this unit for a fraction of the costs that most major law enforcement air units incur.