The Pennsylvania State Police has announced the Aviation Patrol Unit Seven is now operational at the Altoona-Blair County Airport.
Airborne law enforcement services are being provided by members of the unit by flying one of the department’s Bell 206 Long Ranger helicopters. The helicopter is used to assist all state police facilities and other state, municipal and federal law enforcement agencies.
The primary service area for the APU VII is Blair, Huntingdon, Centre, Cambria, Clearfield, Bedford, Fulton, Juniata and Mifflin counties. Previously those areas were covered by aviation units in Harrisburg, Latrobe and Montoursville.
This new Aviation Patrol Unit enhances the state police’s ability to offer police aviation services in this part of the state for emergency situations ranging from natural disasters to criminal incidents.
The nine counties being served by the new unit total 6,594 square miles. The crew from APU VII will be able to reach nearly all of that area within 30 minutes.
Selection of the Altoona-Blair County Airport for the new unit was based on a detailed study conducted by the Aviation and Special Services Division of the Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations.
The Department is leasing the 5,500 square foot hanger from Belljay Corporation of Hollidaysburg. Sergeant Joseph H. Fox serves as the unit supervisor.
Currently, the state police has other aviation units in Harrisburg, Montoursville, Latrobe, Franklin, Hazleton and Reading.
