Eagle eyed: New Milford Police Department becomes third in the state with its own helicopter

Republican American Archives September 13, 2020

Article reprinted with permission from the Republican American

Courtesy of the Nelson D'Ancona Foundation, New Milford Police Department is now the third agency in the state to possess a police helicopter with this fully refurbished Eagle Two 1971 Army OH58 aircraft. Contributed

NEW MILFORD — Eagle Two has landed.

Last November, New Milford Police Department became the third law enforcement agency in the state with a helicopter, one which is now used for varied tasks, programs and search-and-rescue missions. But it wasn’t until the start of June that the former Army 1971 OH-58 aircraft was fully refurbished, upgraded and brought into the department’s possession.

Since that time, the operational Eagle Two has been a both regular and integral piece of the department’s public service repertoire. Aside from its regular training exercises, it is typically deployed three times a week, successfully enhancing observational capabilities.

Further, it has helped New Milford Police Chief Spencer Cerruto realize his vision of a department with an even more robust public service.

“I came in with a philosophy of getting involved in outreach,” said Cerruto, who came to New Milford in November 2018. “So when the opportunity came for us to obtain a helicopter, I was open to the idea because I wanted our department to provide the best services possible for our community.

Courtesy of the Nelson D’Ancona Foundation, New Milford Police Department is now the third agency in the state to possess a police helicopter with this fully refurbished Eagle Two 1971 Army OH58 aircraft. Contributed

“We have a good community and they deserve the best,” he added, noting how vital a competent aerial approach is to a town as vast as New Milford. “We’re the largest in Connecticut with 64 square miles. It’s two towns in one but with mountainous terrain, wooded areas, lakes and rivers.”

The helicopter, which as part of the Eagle Two program with the Nelson D’Ancona Foundation came at no expense to taxpayers, spent November to June stationed at Avionics Solutions in Louisiana. That firm, which specializes in law enforcement airframe and avionic upgrades, donated its array of cutting-edge equipment enhancements and refurbishments.

An aerial view from New Milford Police Department’s new Eagle Two helicopter high above the Housatonic River. Contributed/New Milford police

Such upgrades included a new tail-rotor system, windows, lighting, advanced cockpit electronic displays, GPS navigation, loudhailer, AeroComputer UC6000 mapping system and a FLIR 380-HDc imaging system.

EAGLE TWO IS AN EXPANSION of the Eagle One program operated out of the Stratford Police Department, which along with the state police comprise the other two agencies with a helicopter. It is one of the only all-volunteer helicopter programs in the state.

The program helps with law enforcement operations throughout Connecticut and the surrounding areas, free of charge. The foundation uses private and corporate donations to maintain and operate the helicopter, as well as to cover the insurance and fuel costs.

And it has been particularly useful since it first arrived in New Milford. On June 10, two New York men went missing for days after drowning in the Housatonic River by the Bulls Bridge hydroelectric plant.

“We had the aircraft for just a number of days when victims from out of state, out of country, were visiting,” said New Milford Police Capt. Alan Wilcoxson, a helicopter pilot who recently came from the Stratford Police Department. “It was a hot day and many state parks were closed. The family was beside themselves, but as soon as helicopter showed up, everything changed because they knew we were doing all we could for them.”

Cerruto echoed that sentiment, saying the emotional support a helicopter offers is a benefit he didn’t quite expect.

“The family in the scene of an area of a missing loved one, they feel helpless, and when they see this helicopter up above looking for a loved one down the river, they really feel we are doing all we can to find their loved one, and we are,” Cerruto said. “It really does have an impact on the victim and that’s something I’m learning.”

THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY of positive outcomes. Last month, a missing autistic child was found via helicopter surveillance, and in Danbury, an Alzheimer’s patient was located. Cerruto said his department is open to working with other area communities.

“We’re all in this together,” he said.

The department also is in the process of securing a drone to further enhance aerial searches. However, both Cerruto and Wilcoxson, along with tactical flight officer Lt. Earl Wheeler, noted a drone is limited in its capabilities due to its relatively short battery life and altitude max of 400 feet.

With its advanced search equipment, Eagle Two can spot a person from 1.6 miles. Wheeler said the imaging system helps ensure areas that have been searched are not covered twice, “which is good because when you’re looking at the woods, one tree looks like another.”

Tom O’Halloran, the Nelson D’Ancona Foundation’s president who oversaw the entire project, said Eagle Two will prove to be a vital part of the town’s rescue capabilities.

“The aircraft now has a platform to serve the residents of New Milford, as well as surrounding communities, assisting in search and rescue, community outreach programs and school educational visits,” O’Halloran said. “I couldn’t be prouder of New Milford’s participation in the program and providing a resource like this to the area.”