First New Medevac Aircraft Unveiled Friday

The Governor of Maryland and other elected officials joined Maryland State Police Colonel Marcus Brown, representatives of Maryland’s emergency medical services system, and AgustaWestland on Friday to unveil the first of the new Maryland State Police helicopters that will replace the state’s aging medevac fleet. 

The new AgustaWestland AW139 was on static display at the Maryland State Police Aviation Command headquarters at Martin State Airport for the ceremony.  The new helicopter is the first of the ten contracted for with AgustaWestland to replace Maryland’s current fleet of 11 helicopters, ten of which are more than 20 years old.  The new helicopters will enable the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to continue its unique multiple mission capability of medevac, search and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security. 
 
Those attending the ceremony were allowed to inspect the new aircraft up-close at its conclusion. Members of the Aviation Command and officials from AgustaWestland were on hand to answer questions  about its capabilities.

According to the Associated Press, the State of Maryland started the process of acquiring new aircraft after an accident in September, 2008, which resulted in four fatalities.

(Image provided by AgustaWestland)

FMI: www.mdsp.org