ASTREA (pronounced "as-TREE-ah") is an acronym for Aerial Support To Regional Enforcement Agencies, the air support unit of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Each airship is designated by the name ASTREA and a number, for example: "ASTREA 1". ASTREA Base is located at Gillespie Field Airport in El Cajon, California.

History

ASTREA began operations in 1972 with three Bell 47G helicopters based at Gillespie Field in El Cajon.

On February 16, 1997, Deputy Patrick "Pat" S. Coyle, 42, died after the ASTREA helicopter in which he and pilot Ron Hobson were flying lost power and crashed in Sycamore Canyon, northeast of Santee, California. His death marked the first fatality in the then 25-year history of the sheriff's air support unit.

Aircraft

As of 2003, ASTREA's fleet consisted of:

• Helicopters - (quantity)
  • MD 500D - (3)
  • MD 500E - (1)
  • MD 500F - (2)
• Fixed wing - (quantity)
  • Cesna 210 - (1)

External links

• San Diego County Sheriff's Department Official Website
• Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA)
  • ALEA Unit Photographs - San Diego County Sheriff's Department - photographs of ASTREA
• County of San Diego Official Website

References

• Goldin, J. (2003). San Diego move aerial support teams into one home. Air Beat Magazine. Retrieved April 9, 2004 from http://www.alea.org/public/airbeat/back_issues/jan_feb_2003/sdso.htm .
• Gross, G. (March 24,2004). Joint-use plan for helicopters still sought. San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved April 14, 2004 from http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/20040327-9999-news_7m27helo.html .
• Moreland, J. (August 3, 2000). Sheriff has new helicopter, robot for rescues, crime-fighting. North County Times. Retrieved April 9, 2004 from http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2000/08/04/export14261.txt .
• Moreland, J. (August 15, 2002). Sheriff dedicates new emergency center. North County Times. Retrieved April 14, 2004 from http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2002/08/16/export16249.txt .