Eagle 1 Crew Flies over Compo during Training Mission
The highly qualified Eagle 1 crew - consisting of volunteer pilots, police officers, and rescue workers - gave beachgoers an unexpected air show tonight as the 1968 Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter, or "Huey", flew just a few dozen feet from the shoreline before it banked hard right to follow the Saugatuck River on its journey home. The “Eagle” teams operate 3 search & rescue helicopters in the State at no cost to the victims or towns they assist through the help of donation dollars and their trained volunteer pilots, rescuers, and mechanics. Many of the volunteers are former or current military, law enforcement, or other emergency service provider who remain on call for when Eagle 1, Eagle 2, or Eagle 3 are called into action. Tonight’s training was confirmed as such by the New Milford Police Department, who now oversees the aerial unit after a transition from the Stratford Police Department. The helicopter was purchased as military surplus and has remained in service in the region ever since, including rescue missions in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina. WestportLocal.com photo