Columbus County’s helicopter and a fuel truck used to support the chopper are being transferred to Robeson County.
Commissioners are expected to approve an agreement tonight completing the transfer of the equipment from the Columbus Sheriff’s Office to the Robeson SO. The fuel tanker can be used to supply the helicopter or other vehicles during emergencies.
Both were obtained as surplus under former Sheriff Jody Greene in 2019. The helicopter was a former Highway Patrol chopper, and came to the county at no cost with a spare aircraft intended for parts. High maintenance costs and problems keeping qualified pilots on staff kept the chopper grounded much of the time. The helicopter was used for several missions, and is featured in a county recruiting video recorded in 2020.
The tanker was obtained through a federal surplus program that provided millions in vehicles, equipment and supplies to the sheriff’s office. At one point, Columbus County had obtained more government surplus equipment than any other county in the state, more than $9 million total.
The helicopter was initially intended as a joint project between Columbus, Robeson and Bladen counties. Although the Bell 206 was built in 1973, the model is in wide use across the country for law enforcement, search and rescue, and emergency services. Original estimates came down to around $1,200 per year to operate, but repairs, manpower, fuel and other costs were significantly higher.
The basic agreement between Robeson and Columbus says that the helicopter and truck will be available through a mutual aid agreement if there is a need in Columbus County. Columbus also has access to the SABLE helicopter based in Brunswick County.
