Lt. Governor Aruna Miller Joins Aviation Command to Celebrate 55 Years Of Aviation Section In Prince George’s County

(BOWIE, MD) — Today, Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller joined Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Dr. Douglass Floccare and other honored guests to celebrate the Maryland State Police Aviation Command’s 55 years of medevac, law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security and disaster assessment services provided by the crew members of Trooper 2. 

Trooper 2, based at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, has long been known as one of the busiest sections in the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. Due to the section’s geographic location and overlapping coverage, calls for service extend farther than those of many other Aviation Sections in the fleet.

"For 55 years, the dedicated crews of Trooper 2 have answered the call whenever Marylanders faced their most difficult moments," said Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller. "Whether responding to a medical emergency, conducting a search and rescue mission, or supporting disaster response efforts, they have demonstrated extraordinary courage, professionalism, and commitment to public service. Today, we honor their legacy and thank every pilot, flight paramedic, maintenance technician, and support staff member who continues this lifesaving mission."

Since inception, the Aviation Command has transported more than 165,000 patients and has contributed to saving thousands of lives, thus earning itself a worldwide reputation as a leader in pre-hospital trauma care and MedEvac. The driving force behind the MedEvac was Dr. R Adams Cowley, the founder of the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.  He believed that rapid MedEvac transportation of critically injured patients to a trauma center would save lives. 

“In a single shift, Trooper 2 may respond to a hoist rescue in Frederick County, a heart attack patient in St. Mary’s, a pedestrian struck in Prince George’s or even a mayday call on the Chesapeake Bay,” said Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “In the same shift they may transport patients in between hospitals in Baltimore, Largo and Washington, D.C.”

It was on March 19, 1970, that the Maryland State Police Aviation Command became the first civilian agency to transport a critically injured trauma patient by helicopter. This had never been done in the past in a non-military setting. The Command’s first MedEvac mission forever changed the world of emergency medical services.

“The creation of Trooper 2 marked the initiation of the first true system of trauma care in the United States,” said Dr. Douglas Floccare, State Aeromedical Director for the Maryland Institute for EMS Systems, “Every day highly skilled medical professionals and first responders work together to provide the highest level of care during transport, ensuring patients reach the hospital best suited for their needs."

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command currently operates a fleet of 10 AugustaWestland AW139 helicopters that are assigned to seven sections strategically based throughout the state. Aviation hangars are located in Allegany, Frederick, Baltimore, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Talbot and Wicomico counties. 

The Aviation Command is comprised of 182 dedicated personnel to include pilots, trooper flight paramedics, maintenance technicians and support personnel.  The Command’s pilots are all highly skilled and experienced and require a minimum of 2,000 helicopter hours to even be considered for hire. Co-pilots, or second-in-command pilots can be hired with 1,200 hours.

Aviation Command’s trooper flight paramedics are all sworn troopers and nationally registered paramedics. They are among the most highly skilled pre-hospital EMS providers in the country.  

The Command’s Maintenance Division is a certified Federal Aviation Administration Part 145 Repair Station.  The Maintenance Division’s technicians are responsible for repairing and maintaining the Command’s helicopters and fixed wing airplane with Airframe and Power-Plant Mechanic licenses.  

A video tribute to the members of the Aviation Command and all those dedicated first responders who are part of Maryland’s emergency response system produced by Maryland State Police Pilot Hae Kim.  The video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/mfY4loj7N2o.