Planes & helicopters

[jscotti]

The Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt was one of my first shots with my new Sigma 70-300 APO Super II zoom lens on my new 20D as it flew overhead on its way into Davis-Monthan AFB. The "Police helicopter" has "Homeland Security" emblazoned on its side. It flew over me as I was packing up my equipment after getting some bird shots out in the Tucson Mountain Park not far from the Desert Museum. I shot 30 pictures in continuous drive mode, testing that capacity for only the 2nd time. Of course, since you can see one of the occupants looking my way from the open window behind the pilot, I'm probably now on a homeland security list somewhere....

Jim.

[Vetteography]

I wasn't aware that they had sold Blackhawks to civilian agencies... but then again, it does say "Homeland Security" on the side..

[mdmedicgod]

there is civilian model used in the fire service called the firehawk.

[Kopter Doc]

The U.S. military versions of the H-60 helicopter have been expanded into a series of S-70 derivatives specifically focused on the international market. Same airframe and powerplant it just has a civilian designator.
The Firehawk is a S-70/UH-60L modified with a 1,000 gal.
belly tank. During a 90-day trail period in Los Angeles County, the helicopter racked up 116 flight hours, dropped 337,100 gallons of water and completed 346 snorkel refills.

[Medic1]

Interesting pics.....

[jscotti]

Interesting. I think I've seen these choppers flying out of either Davis-Monthan or the adjacent Border Patrol office near Swan and Golf Links in Tucson. I was never able to read "police" or "homeland security" on the side until I zoomed in on these shots on my LCD display. There seem to be rather fuzzy boundaries these days between the various agencies.

Jim.

[tmunson]

The Homeland Security Blackhawks (as seen in this Pic) are leased to the agency formerly known as "ICE" (Imigration Customs Enforcement) by the Army.