Maryland State Police Aviation Command

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) is the helicopter and aviation arm of the Maryland State Police. On March 19, 1970 the Maryland State Police became the first civilian agency to transport a critically injured trauma patient by helicopter, an effort championed by Dr. R Adams Cowley, founder of Shock Trauma in Baltimore. The program began with one helicopter covering the entire state and now runs seven helicopter sections plus maintenance, support and administration operations.

Missions

• Medevac, including neonatal and pediatric transfers
• Aerial law enforcement
• Search and rescue
• Homeland security
• Disaster assessment and relief

Fleet

The command flies 10 AW139 helicopters. Each carries critical care medical equipment, pre-hospital whole blood, rescue hoists, searchlights, infrared cameras, night vision devices and advanced navigation and safety systems. Each crew has two pilots and two trooper paramedics. A single engine Piper Saratoga supports search and rescue, surveillance and transport of whole blood, maintenance personnel and parts.

Helicopter sections

• Trooper 1, Baltimore: Martin State Airport
• Trooper 2, Washington: Joint Base Andrews
• Trooper 3, Frederick: Frederick Municipal Airport
• Trooper 4, Salisbury: Salisbury Airport
• Trooper 5, Cumberland: Cumberland Regional Airport in Wiley Ford, West Virginia, the only unit permanently outside Maryland
• Trooper 6, Easton: Easton Airport
• Trooper 7, Southern Maryland: St. Mary's Airport

The Operation Control Center processes helicopter requests and coordinates with SYSCOM, the statewide communications center, and with MIEMSS, the Maryland emergency medical services system. Trooper 3 at Frederick typically completes more hoist rescues than any other section, and Trooper 7 recently had the highest call volume of the command.

Contact

Phone: 410-238-5800 (Aviation Command)