Editor’s note: Vertical Valor kicked off its inaugural Blades of Valor Road Tour this spring. Brought to you by the Hangar Z Podcast, the road tour included visits to some of North America’s public safety aviation units, showcasing some of the country’s heroes who exemplify courage, dedication and selflessness in the line of duty every day. In honor of Independence Day, the first article in this series highlights the important work in our nation’s capital.
On the cold, snowy early evening of Jan. 13, 1982, the pilots of Air Florida Flight 90 made the ill-fated decision to attempt a departure from Washington National Airport along the frozen banks of the Potomac River in the U.S. capital.
The sunny destination of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, would be a welcome change to the 24-degree Fahrenheit (-4-degree Celsius) temperatures and blizzard conditions of Washington D.C. Unfortunately, of the 79 passengers and crew onboard the Boeing 737-222, only five would survive to the end of the day.
The catastrophic culmination of Flight 90 would have lasting effects, most notably in the area of airline hiring, along with reforms to pilot training regulations. In addition to multiple accolades being awarded for the brave response by law enforcement and civilians alike, one of the lasting memories of that day was the image of a Bell 206B-3 JetRanger dropping rescue lines and, at times, hovering mere inches above the frigid water, plucking survivors from what would have been icy graves. That helicopter, known as Eagle One, was crewed by the U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit.
Situated along the Anacostia River, just 2.5 miles (four kilometers) east of the site from that tragic day 42 years ago, is the Eagle’s Nest, the home of the U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit. In operation since 1973, the aviation unit has been at this location since 1976. As the first helicopter to provide air medical services in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, their capabilities have expanded over the years to now include ground patrol unit support, search-and-rescue (SAR), presidential and dignitary protection, high-risk prisoner transport, and more. Since 1994, the unit has been scheduled to provide its services 24/7, as needed.
The aviation unit’s jurisdiction is, by definition, the U.S. Parks. This includes the many federal parks and recreation areas within and around Washington, D.C., known as the National Capital Region. The sheer cliffs and dangerous rapids of the Potomac River in nearby Great Falls Park and Shenandoah National Park provide ample opportunity for the unit to exercise its hoist and swiftwater rescue skills. In addition, the team works closely with neighboring police aviation sectors from the states of Maryland and Virginia, as well as Fairfax County, Prince George’s County, Washington D.C. Metro, and any others that request assistance.
As the unit’s mission set has advanced, so has its aircraft. The Eagle’s Nest now boasts two Bell 412EPs, utilized for daily operations, and a Bell 206, used primarily for training and as a backup ship. With unwavering support from upper management, these helicopters are outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment, which has allowed the team to provide decades of accident-free services.
Personnel include a commander, assistant commander, four pilots, and six rescue technicians. Everyone assigned to the unit is first and foremost sworn U.S. Park Police officers, with full law enforcement responsibilities. Examples of LE responses include the 2013 Washington Naval Yard shooting, the 2017 Congressional baseball shooting, and the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon.
Listen to the full Hangar Z Podcast episode where hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely talk to Sgt. Tim Ryan and Sgt. Ryan Evasick about the unit’s history and day-to-day operations. Hear more about the unit’s response to incidents around the region, the work they are doing, and the future of the detail. They also provide additional insight into that fateful day in 1982 and the significance it had on the U.S. Park Police Aviation Unit.
