The National Guard Counterdrug Program operates in all 54 states and territories to support local, state and federal Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in America’s fight against drugs. The program employs just under 2,500 Soldiers and Airmen to support its three core signature programs: Drug Demand Reduction, Decision Superiority and Combatant Commanders.
For over 14 years, the RC-26B has provided aerial photography, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of Counterdrug (CD) activities. The highly trained RC-26B aircrew have backgrounds in almost every military aviation platform and effectively bridge the gap between Department of Defense and civil authorities. This service is provided at no cost to Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). Additionally, this aircraft is available for non-CD activities for emergency purposes when reimbursement for costs is provided.
The RC-26B provides the platform and sensors to afford unobserved airborne command and control, radio relay, observation, photography, suspect tracking, and vehicle follow. Up to 100X zoom spotter scope daylight mission video and Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) thermal video can be provided on VHS tapes, with or without audio, at the completion of the flight. High resolution photographs can be taken with traditional wet film or with very high resolution digital camera. Images can be burned to disc in flight, sent off for large format printing with a three to four day turnaround time, or can be printed on up to 11x14” photo paper onboard the aircraft. An extensive communications suite allows communications from 29-960 MHz, including provisions for plugging in 800 MHz handheld radios, and air phone capabilities.
Examples of RC-26B employment include: following suspect to find drug supplier, video recordingtransaction and documenting location of controlled buys (including wire recording), providing
photos and video for planning ingress and egress for takedowns, providing a bird’s eye view of locations, allowing reporting of arrival/ departure of suspects, and to protect officers on the ground during takedowns, providing a platform for surveillance in areas where no other method is possible without compromise, and tracking fleeing subjects (vehicle or foot).
For more information contact the National Counterdrug Aviation section at 703-607-5747.
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