Chiltern Air Support Unit

A single engine Aerospatiale A350 Squirrel helicopter designated G-JORR was hired for day-time operations for each weekday of 1985.

During April 1986, the Thames Valley Police Air Support Unit, as it had become known, was relocated to RAF Abingdon.

Providing daylight cover only, the Unit was allocated a budget of 650 flying hours, but was still crewed by sergeant observers on an ad hoc basis.

[8] Only the Benson staff employed by the Chiltern Air Support Unit were seconded to West Yorkshire Police, who are the lead force for the NPAS.

Aircraft and staff at the RAF Henlow site were disbanded and did not join NPAS, despite concerns being expressed by the Thames Valley Police Federation[9] and a petition to UK Parliament being launched to protect the base.