The County of Los Angeles has approved the acquisition by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Aero Bureau of three previously owned Eurocopter AS332 L1 Super Puma helicopters. These will replace the aging ex-United States Navy Sikorsky H-3 Sea Kings currently operated by the department.
With parts and support for the three H-3s becoming more expensive and difficult to obtain, the decision was made to replace them. The three AS332 L1s will continue the long tradition of “Air Rescue 5,” the rescue division of the Aero Bureau. Air Rescue 5 commenced operations in 1955 with Bell 47 helicopters; piston-engine Sikorsky H-34 helicopters were introduced to the unit in the 1970s. The unit then operated turbine-powered Sikorsky S-58Ts before acquiring the H-3s.
Because of the limited power of the H-3s in the high-altitude mountains around Los Angeles County, the replacement AS332 L1s will increase the safety and capabilities of Air Rescue 5. Once delivered, the Super Pumas will be upgraded for the Aero Bureau’s missions. At this point in time, the aircraft are expected to have external hoists, nose-mounted forward-looking infrared cameras, and night-vision compatible cockpits. Other upgrades will include multiple-patient medical interiors and other airframe modifications specific to Aero Bureau’s requirements.
Although primarily tasked as rescue aircraft, other missions expected of the Super Pumas will include SWAT team insertion and extraction, homeland security support, maritime interdiction, and personnel transport after natural disasters such as earthquakes. Other missions may include over-water rescues and transports to Los Angeles County-jurisdiction islands off the coast of L.A., including Catalina and San Clemente islands.
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is anticipating the introduction of the fully equipped AS332 L1 Super Pumas by mid-2012.