Second Aircraft May Also Face The Budget Axe

One of two helicopters operated by Alaska State Troopers has been grounded due budget cuts imposed by the state legislature, and the force's second helicopter may face the same fate.

Television station KTVA reports that Alaska State Trooper Helo 2, based in Fairbanks, went in for maintenance in July, and has been indefinitely grounded since. Helo 3, based in Anchorage, is still flying, but it is not known for how long.

Alaska Wildlife Trooper Maj. Bernard Chastain said that the cost of operating the helicopter in Fairbanks is about $250,000 per year.

Troopers have contracted with outside services for SAR missions because of factors such as poor weather and high operating costs, but Keith Essex, a representative of Alpine Air which has done contract work for the state, says that while their aircraft are similar, their personnel do not have the same kind of specialized training and experience as the Alaska State Trooper aircrews.

Lt. Steve Adams, Search and Rescue coordinator for the Alaska State Troopers, said that the force is committed to SAR missions, but sometimes they are required to contract outside companies which can take more time and cost more money than flying their own aircraft. "We don't turn down search and rescue," he said.

FMI: http://dps.alaska.gov/ast/