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Full-time Air Support Unit

First Police Helicopters

In 1988, Thames Valley Police became the third police force to have a full-time Air Support Unit, joining the Metropolitan Police and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

The team was made up of a sergeant and two constables and, at this time, the Unit returned to its former base at Oxford Airport. In 1989, the team began using a leased twin-engine Bolkow BO105 helicopter designated G-PASC. This aircraft was equipped with a ‘Nitesun’ searchlight, allowing the helicopter crew to run night operations.