WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The Wilmington Police Department announced on June 27 that SABLE’s use of crewed helicopters is coming to an end, instead focusing the program on just using drones.

The Southeastern NC Airborne Law Enforcement program has been around since 2006 and covers Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties.

“The program was initially funded and operated with City of Wilmington general fund positions, equitable sharing funds, grants, and partner agency support. The Wilmington Police Department (WPD) has served as the lead program agency since the program’s inception. Since it was created nearly twenty years ago, SABLE has provided crucial lifesaving assistance in the support of rescue operations, missing person cases, suspect pursuits, and criminal surveillance. The program was expanded around 2018 to include an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)/drone component,” a WPD announcement states.

Per the WPD, the two helicopters used in the unit were retired military OH-58 Kiowa aircraft loaned from the Department of Defense, which are over 50 years old and needed frequent maintenance.

The department cites an incident in November of 2023 where a flight crew had mechanical issues while in the air on a training mission with three people on board. There was a precautionary nighttime landing in a public park with people on the ground, but the chief pilot was able to find an empty area to land the helicopter safely.

Chief Donny Williams gave the following statement:

The helicopters will be returned to the DOD.

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