Members of local law enforcement checked out this Bell OH-58a Kiowa light reconnaissance helicopter used by the Tennessee National Guard Counter Drug Task Force. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)

Criminals beware: Local law enforcement has an eye in the sky at its disposal that could be watching you.

Members of the Shelbyville Police Department, the Bedford County Sheriff's Department and the 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force paid a visit to the Shelbyville Airport Wednesday to take a look at the air support offered for free by the Army and the Tennessee National Guard.

The Bell OH-58a Kiowa light reconnaissance helicopter is fitted with the latest in high tech surveillance systems geared toward helping the fight against drugs.

This Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) system can spot a suspect hiding in high grass or spot other heat signatures from the air. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge]

Shelbyville Police Chief Austin Swing said the availability of this type of air support "is a nice thing if you need them.

"It's not something you're going to use every day or week, but it something we can very likely use in the future."

A lieutenant with the Army's Reconnaissance and Aerial Interdiction Detachment, part of the Tennessee National Guard Counter Drug Program, who asked not to be identified due to security concerns, explained the various systems to local police.

"The best thing about us is that we're absolutely free," the lieutenant said.

Swing agreed, saying that with a department's budget restraints, being able to take advantage of high-tech gear without additional cost is definitely a plus.

The lieutenant, said that aside from spotting fields of marijuana from the air, the helicopter is available throughout the year to assist law enforcement with any case that "has a drug nexus," for example, a homicide investigation with a drug connection.

Another example would be if police were going to serve a warrant on a high profile criminal who has a drug charge on his record. The helicopter can "fly cover" for the department, utilizing night vision, a Global Positioning System, Forward Looking Infra Red [FLIR], regular video and a powerful spotlight that can turn the darkest night into day.

"Just like on [the television show] 'COPS,' we've got all that equipment," the lieutenant said. The radio system is also able to hone in on any frequency to communicate with local cops on the ground.

The FLIR system picks up heat signatures, enabling officers to spot someone hiding in high grass or brush. The spotlight is called a Nightsun, a 30 million candlepower device that can illuminate a small city block or just focus on one house or a vehicle.

"If someone tries to run, they're not going to get away from us," the lieutenant said. "Unless they hop in an airplane and outrun us."

If cops suspect a location has a meth lab, the copter can been used for taking photos from the air in preparation for a raid, using whatever cameras local officers may have in conjunction with the helicopter's video systems.

The helicopter is based in Smyrna and can be over Bedford County in a matter of 15 minutes if called. It is restricted to 15 hours of flying time per day.

Up to two officers can ride along on an operation in the UH-58a, but if the FLIR system is needed, then only a single cop can come along. Depending on the situation, the aircraft can be used in emergencies as well, but it can't deviate from the drug nexus unless requested by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA).

With just four pilots, the copter crew stays fairly busy, especially during the four month marijuana growing season, but at this time of year, activity slacks off, with pilots concentrating on maintenance and getting their flight hours in. The surveillance equipment can be moved to other helicopters if one is down for repairs.

The back of the helicopter has a seat for observing the various video systems used, like FLIR, as well as a digital video system for recording what they observe. Two video monitors are up front for the pilots as well.

The camera itself can turn 360 degrees around and straight up or down if needed. It has an optical zoom of 18 times and can close in up to 72 times in digital mode. A handheld controller enables the pilot to keep his eyes on flying while another crew member can track and zero in on a suspect.

The helicopter usually stands off at 1,000 feet at a kilometer away, where they "can get a pretty good picture." The lieutenant said that this way, they can follow a vehicle from behind and stay mostly unobserved.