Fairfax County Police Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: 24/7 Emergency Response; Office and Program Hours Vary
703-691-2131 TTY 711 (Non-Emergency)
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Kevin Davis
Chief of Police

Department Resources

Helicopter Division

Heliport Direct
Emergencies
Non-emergency
two officers running a medical evacuation towards the fairfax helicopter
Fairfax 1 helicopter division Logo

The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division provides tactical police aviation support, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, and other specialized air support as needed within Fairfax County and the National Capital Region to enhance public safety and welfare.

Helicopter Division Leadership

Commander
Captain Karen MaslonaKaren.Maslona@fairfaxcounty.gov
Assistant Commander
Lieutenant Lance HamiltonLance.Hamilton@fairfaxcounty.gov

Notable Missions

DateMissionLocation
5/1/26Weapons Discharge9800 Block Foust St.
5/1/26Weapons Brandishing6300 Block Richmond Hwy
5/3/26Robbery6500 Block Little River Tpk
5/4/26Pursuit (VSP)Centerville Farms Dr.
5/5/26MedevacRichmond Hwy/Lorton Rd
5/5/26Bailout (VSP)Willard Rd/Chantilly Shopping Center
5/7/26Robbery2300 Block Hunter Woods Plz.
5/8/26Carjacking12000 Block Lincoln Lake Way
5/8/26Robbery5800 Block Trinity Pky
5/9/26Medevac15000 Block Worth Court
5/15/26Stolen Vehicle495/66
5/16/26Pursuit (VSP)495/ S. Vandorn
5/17/26Shot Person14000 Block Mt. Olive Rd.
5/25/26Wanted PersonRichmond Hwy/Fordson Rd.
5/28/26Shooting12000 Block Sessile Commons 
5/29/26Missing Critical Adult8200 Block Leesburg Pk
5/29/26Robbery1600 Block Becontree Ln.
5/30/26Missing Juvenile12000 Block Greywing Sq. 
5/30/26Robbery11000 Block Grand Commons Dr.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division is committed to reducing aircraft noise. As such, the division employs the following flight characteristics whenever possible.

  • When responding from Fairfax Base to events that are not time critical, pilots should climb over the area of the landfill to an altitude of at least 1200 feet MSL before proceeding on course.
  • When returning to Fairfax Base, pilots should maintain a minimum altitude of 1200 feet MSL until intercept of a steeper than normal glide path to the base.
  • Flight operations between the hours of 1100 and 0700 are limited to essential police and medevac missions.
  • Vary landing and departure courses at Fairfax Base and remain over the landfill as much as possible.
  • Avoid noise-sensitive areas when possible.
  • Select routes over areas of high ambient noise levels when possible.
  • Maintain an altitude of at least 1,000 feet AGL when possible.
  • Avoid fast cruise speeds when not responding to missions.
  • Avoid sharp maneuvers.
  • Use steep takeoff and descent profiles.

The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division maintains a 24-hour, 7 days a week, single-aircraft mission response capability. The standard duty crew is comprised of one pilot and two paramedic qualified police officers. If you listen to air traffic control for Dulles or National Airport you will routinely hear the crew communicate using the call sign "Fairfax 1."

Fairfax 1 provides tactical police aviation support, aeromedical evacuation, search & rescue, and other specialized air support as needed within Fairfax County, and through mutual aid agreements to other jurisdictions within the National Capital Region to enhance public safety and welfare.

The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division maintains two Bell 429 helicopters purchased through funds saved over more than a decade. The helicopters are projected to last 20 years.

If the helicopter is circling your neighborhood it is on a mission. You can contact the Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications at (703) 691-2131 and they will tell you what type of mission the helicopter is on. The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division also posts recent missions on their website and that website is updated at least once a week.

The crew members take the noise produced by the helicopter into account on every mission flown. The division uses the Helicopter Association International's Fly Neighborly Guide as a model for helicopter noise reduction. Unfortunately, due to mission critical components of certain flights, the crew cannot always adhere to those guidelines.

No. There are many public safety, medevac, news, and military helicopters that operate in the Northern Virginia area daily.

If you are a member of a community organization based in Fairfax County, or a Fairfax County employee working in your official capacity, you can request a demonstration or fly-over. The crew can fly-out to a predetermined location to meet with your organization, fly over a special event, or meet your group at the hangar so you can see the helicopter firsthand. (Examples include Fairfax County Public Schools, scout troops, National Night Out events)

The division will provide a demonstration to any public safety agency as long as it is logistically possible. Working with our local, state, and federal partner is vital to our mission and we encourage those partners to contact us anytime.

Pointing a laser at any aircraft, helicopter or fixed wing, is a federal crime with a punishment of up to 5 years imprisonment. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of any individual who aims a laser at aircraft. The reward is available for 90 days in all 56 FBI field offices (FBI Press Release June 03, 2014).

The operation of unmanned aircraft (UA/drones), to include model aircraft, is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Information concerning the operation of UAs can be found on the FAQ section of the FAA website. Additionally, the District of Columbia and cities and towns within a 15-mile radius of Ronald-Reagan Washington National Airport are a No Drone Zone. This includes a portion of Fairfax County. Further information can be found at DC IS A NO DRONE ZONE.

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