SABLE Air Unit

SABLE Air Unit SABLE: Southeastern North Carolina Airborne Law Enforcement The program had been directly responsible for a 2195 square mile area. And now its gone.

SABLE was a true multi-agency program, a collective effort between the Wilmington Police Department, Leland Police Department, Pender County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. The primary mission of the Southeastern North Carolina Airborne Law Enforcement Air Unit, SABLE, had been to directly support and assist emergency service functions, including uniformed and invest

igative personnel, in their efforts to prevent crime, apprehend criminals and serve the citizens of Southeastern North Carolina. The Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) was the primary component of the mission, directing and assisting ground units by utilizing the most technically advanced equipment available to Airborne Law Enforcement aircraft. The TFO wass highly trained in all aspects of the equipment and helicopter operations, making this a cohesive team. The TFO was responsible for direct communication and support of the ground units, coordinating efforts, establishing priorities of support with local, state, and federal agencies. The Pilot was responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and placing the Tactical Flight Officer into the most advantageous position to perform his mission. SABLE utilized two officers as full time pilots, with a part time pilot available and assisting regularly. Both full time pilots were sworn officers and former military helicopter pilots with a combined 30,000 flight hours of experience in multiple airframes. The minimum requirements to perform as a SABLE pilot were an FAA Rotary Wing Commercial Instrument rating and a minimum of 1500 flight hours in turbine aircraft. Our part-time pilot was a retired FAA inspector, who provided regulatory oversight of the SABLE program along with performing as the unit Flight Instructor. This enabled the program to operate at a high level of safety and professionalism. Since its inaugural flight in January 2007, SABLE had been proven to be a force multiplier for our agencies and a true asset to the citizens of our region.

07/03/2024

The department cites aging helicopters with increasingly expensive maintenance as the primary reasons for the change to just focus on using drones.

12/09/2022
12/09/2022

**** update****
After a three-hour manhunt, the suspect has been apprehended. Big thanks to DCSO, Wallace Fire, NC State Highway Patrol, DCEMS, Pender EMS and Fire, and SABLE.
Through the use of drones and SABLE’s aircraft and crew, the suspect was located and taken into custody without incident.

*******. ********

On Dec 5, 2022, WPD officers responded to the House of Raeford to assist DCSO with a disturbance. The suspect in the disturbance, Sloan Fields (24), stole a vehicle and fled the scene. WPD officers located the vehicle near the old Rockfish Country Club. The suspect rammed the officers vehicle twice, causing the airbags to deploy and injuring the officer.
The suspect, pictured below, fled the area on foot. A man hunt is underway. Please avoid the area. If you have information about the suspect, please contact us at 910-285-2126

https://youtu.be/ed7K2ZELPEE
12/09/2022

https://youtu.be/ed7K2ZELPEE

Thank you to all the brave men and women of law enforcement, and to all of our first responders across the board!Join us at our next fly in! Visit us on Fac...

12/09/2022

Marcos Montiel-Lopez from Wilmington and Bianca Leon-Perez from Burgaw were taken into custody after investigators seized more than 4,322 grams of Methamphetamine and over 744 grams of Co***ne

We had such a great time with Christopher and his family yesterday!
11/15/2020

We had such a great time with Christopher and his family yesterday!

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween! Thanks for stopping by K9 Bane!
11/01/2020

Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween! Thanks for stopping by K9 Bane!

K9 Bane dressed up as a SABLE pilot for Halloween!🎃

Although not as exciting as being in the air supporting patrol operations but just as important, being on the ground per...
10/23/2020

Although not as exciting as being in the air supporting patrol operations but just as important, being on the ground performing aircraft maintenance is an ongoing task. While one aircraft is mission ready, the second will be going through engine, airframe, and equipment inspections and general upkeep. WPD utilizes an assigned SABLE officer who is an FAA Airframe and Powerplant mechanic for this and scheduling upcoming work.

Training a new Wilmington Police Department SABLE Tactical Flight Officer can still be accomplished while waiting for we...
10/16/2020

Training a new Wilmington Police Department SABLE Tactical Flight Officer can still be accomplished while waiting for weather to clear. Procedures, equipment proficiency, and safety can be taught and demonstrated day or night, on the ground and in the air supporting patrol units.

So proud of our team!!
09/01/2020

So proud of our team!!

An elderly kayaker was found safe after he was reported missing in Pender County Tuesday morning.

Go follow New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office for more feature Friday’s!
08/28/2020

Go follow New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office for more feature Friday’s!

Address

Wilmington, NC
28401

Telephone

+19103433600

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