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FAX TRANSMITTAL

MEDIA RELEASE

To: All News Media

From: Lieutenant James Jarrell

Date: July 11, 2003

Subject: Help From Above: the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group, a volunteer organization formed in 1996, recently logged over 3,000 air miles in a 1-month period, patrolling and spotting for forest fires and illegal campfires. Unbeknownst to most Yavapai County residents, unless they look up when they hear the drone of an aircraft, these dedicated volunteers have been flying regular missions, aiding in the rescue of lost, stranded, injured, or missing persons, providing air support in searching for armed robbery suspects, and assisting with forest closure enforcement and fire watch.

Volunteer members of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Air Group provide privately owned aircraft, their skills and expertise, and their time to assist their community. The aircraft used by the YCSAG runs the entire gamut of aviation, from fixed wing to helicopter, and from propeller to jet, from vintage WWII aircraft to modern aircraft utilizing cutting edge technology. There are approximately 40 members who utilize 20 aircraft to assist the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

Currently, the YCSAG is flying regular daytime patrols looking for signs of fires, controlled or otherwise, as well as unauthorized persons in closed areas of the National Forests, and they are reporting the activity to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office or the U.S. Forest Service. Last year the YCSAG flew round-the-clock patrols during and after the Indian Fire. Night patrols could again be initiated, based on weather and fire conditions.

The YCSAG maintains a website at http://www.ycsag.org . A copy of their most recent smoke patrol report recently submitted to Sheriff Buchanan may be viewed at: