A brand new, state-of-the-art helicopter buzzed into the Ventura County Aviation Unit's fleet this week, the latest equipment upgrade for the county's public safety team.
The copter, a 2022 Bell 412EPX, replaces the former Copter 9, a 1969 Bell UH-1 Iroquois, also known as a "Huey." The new helicopter now bears the Copter 9 designation and will be the primary aircraft used during search-and-rescue missions by the Aviation Unit, a joint venture of the county sheriff's office and fire department.
Sheriff's Capt. Randy Downard, who oversees the air unit, said the new helicopter will upgrade the technology used by his team to modern standards.
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