Fort Worth officials unveiled a new helicopter for the police department, the second in the fleet.
Officials, including Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and Chief Eddie Garcia, met at Meacham International Airport on December 16 to reveal the Fort Worth Police Department’s new Bell 505 helicopter.
“This isn’t just a new helicopter,” Garcia posted on X. “It’s an investment in public safety.”
This isn’t just a new helicopter…it’s an investment in public safety.
Our newest Bell 505 enhances our mission to keep us all safe!#NewHeLo #Bell505 #FWPD pic.twitter.com/z2sOQITDar
— Chief Eddie Garcia (@fwpdchiefgarcia) December 17, 2025
After sharing brief remarks, Parker and Garcia took the new helicopter on an inaugural flight across Fort Worth.
The helicopter marks the second Bell 505 helicopter in the department’s Air Support Unit, according to the department’s website. Like the department’s other helicopter, the second is equipped with advanced navigation, a high-resolution thermal-imaging camera, and a 22,500-lumen searchlight.
“The Bell 505 is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware outfitted by CNC Technologies,” Fort Worth police officials posted on Facebook.
The Air Support Unit operates 24/7, supporting Fort Worth police and officers in surrounding counties, according to the department’s website. The helicopters support officers on patrol, SWAT, narcotics, and intelligence duties.
Fort Worth police are “proud” to work alongside Bell Flight, an aviation company that has called the city home for decades, officials posted on Facebook.
“We are honored to support your missions,” officials from Bell Flight replied.
Bell announced Fort Worth police had purchased a second helicopter from the company in November 2024. The company said the Air Support Unit has used a variety of Bell aircraft since its inception, and received its first Bell 505 helicopter in 2021.
“Bell is proud the Fort Worth Police Department has chosen to expand their existing all-Bell public safety fleet,” said Managing Director for North America Lane Evans at the time. “We remain confident that the Bell 505 platform will continue to be a great asset to the community and surrounding areas for years to come.”
Gov. Greg Abbott signed a resolution naming Fort Worth the “aviation and defense capital” of Texas on June 17, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. The resolution cited the city’s historic role in developing the F-16 fighter jet, along with its connection to Bell, Lockheed Martin, and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
