Published October 24. 2024 02:58PM
By LOU WHEELAND
Special to The Press
Special Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency landed a helicopter onto the Springhouse Middle School athletic fields on Oct. 10.
Their mission was to educate the students on the dangers of illegal drugs and how their agency is used to interdict the flow of drugs, especially fentanyl, a highly dangerous drug, into America.
Their most effective tools are their fleet of aircraft, including fixed wing and helicopters.
The helicopter used for the demonstration at Springhouse Middle School is a 20-year-old Airbus 350 equipped with night vision technology, a very powerful spotlight and radar.
They use these tools to support agents on the ground who are either staging a surveillance or apprehending suspects.
The cost to operate the helicopter is $1,900 per flight hour.
Probably the most intriguing question came from second grader Saanvi, who asked “How do you go to the bathroom in a helicopter?”
“You don’t,” replied Special Agent Bill Brinker.
Dr. Jude Sandt, Springhouse principal, was instrumental in arranging the fly-in.
Special Agents and Pilots Bill Brinker and Richard Thomas provided the helicopter and the education regarding illegal drugs.
Mike Pascal, former Capitol police officer, DEA Special Agents/Pilots Bill Brinker and Richard Thomas and Parkland School District Resource Officer Kevin Azar stand in front of a DEA Airbus 350 helicopter at Springhouse Middle School on Oct. 10.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDDEA Special Agent Richard Thomas, Springhouse Middle School Principal Dr. Jude Sandt and DEA Special Agent/pilot Bill Brinker in front of the DEA Airbus 350 helicopter.
DEA Special Agent/Pilot Bill Brinker answers questions from Springhouse Middle School students. The special agent pilots landed a DEA Airbus 350 helicopter to educate the students about the danger of illegal drugs, especially fentanyl.
Springhouse Middle School students Braylee and Saanvi visit with Special Agent and Pilot Bill Brinker at the Springhouse Middle School assembly on Oct. 10.
Springhouse Middle School students gather around a U.S. Drug Enforcement Airbus 350 helicopter at the athletic field. Special Agent/Pilot Richard Thomas describes the helicopter to the curious students.
Michael Pascal, Bill Brinker, Michael Pascal, and Richard Thomas took part in the DEA Airbus 350 helicopter landing at Springhouse Middle School.
LEFT: Mike Pascal, Michael Pascal and Special Agent Bill Brinker inside of the DEA Airbus 350 helicopter.PRESS PHOTOS COURTESY MIKE PASCAL
DEA Special Agents/Pilots Bill Brinker and Richard Thomas prepare to land a DEA Airbus 350 helicopter Oct. 10 at Springhouse Middle School.
ABOVE: DEA Special Agent and Pilot Richard Thomas joins Springhouse Middle School students and their teacher for a photo with the DEA Airbus 350 helicopter.
