Air Support

     The Escambia Airborne Law Enforcement Unit was established in 2001. The Unit, also known as ABLE, has proven to be a valuable asset to the daily operations of the Escambia Sheriff’s Office. The unit is composed of one pilot and one full-time Tactical Flight Officer, along with several part-time observers. The Pilot was selected based on their prior military experience and flight hours, having logged more than 5,000 flight hours.

   While the primary focus of the ABLE Unit is assisting patrol deputies, the unit serves in a variety of other functions. The unique geography of the Gulf Coast provides numerous year-round uses for ABLE. During the summer and early fall months, the unit focuses largely on marijuana eradication efforts. From 1,000 feet above, the trained eye can spot anything from a single marijuana plant growing next to a house to a group of plants in a thickly wooded pine forest.

The ABLE Unit has also partnered with Escambia Search and Rescue (ESAR) in Project Lifesaver. The program utilizes electronic wristbands (similar to the transmitters use in wildlife tracking) to help locate those who are subject to wandering from their familiar surroundings and becoming lost. These may include adults suffering from Alzheimer’s or children diagnosed with Down’s syndrome or Autism. Should a person become lost, portable handheld receiving antennas on the helicopter and on the ground are adjusted to pick up the specified transmitter frequency assigned to the person who is missing. The equipment can reduce search time to a matter of minutes (average air time 15-20 minutes) instead of hours, days, or even weeks, therefore increasing the chances of survival.

    Even when the ABLE team isn’t assisting patrol, searching for illegal narcotics or performing rescue operations, there’s still plenty of work to be done. Training is crucial to the success of the operation, as is routing maintenance of the equipment. The unit also keeps busy with public appearances at school functions and other community related events.

The ABLE Unit utilizes the latest in technology to assist in their duties, some of the equipment  includes: Forward Looking Infrared System, 30 million candle power Nightsun Spotlight, Avalex Moving Map System, Avalex DVR, BMS Analog Downlink, Gyro-stabilized Binoculars, AnVis-9 Night Vision Goggles. 

    For patrol deputies, having an ‘eye in the sky’ can reduce time spent trying to locate fleeing criminals. To the general population, this means public safety is increased in that the need for high-speed pursuits is virtually eliminated. Most importantly, for the criminal element, it means you can run but you can’t hide. Indeed, when a need arises in Escambia County, the Escambia Sheriff’s Office is ready, willing and ABLE!

Special Thanks to our partners at Avalex Technologies!