OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
AIR SUPPORT UNIT
OPERATIONS PLAN FOR
OPERATION SENTENCE
DATE OF EVENT: 5 Nov 10 (Day of Sentencing)
UPDATED: 5 Nov 10
By Sergeant Kyle Thomas
I. SITUATION
A. General Situation
The Meserhle Trial will conclude with his sentencing hearing on 5 Nov 10, most likely in the
early afternoon, but as early as 9AM. Sources of human and internet intelligence information
have indicated that rioting and civil disobedience may take place in the City of Oakland if a
lengthy sentence is not obtained.
B. Known Special Events and Activities
West: None known, but anticipating potential rioting and civil disobedience in the
downtown area, known as DOWNTOWN. Intel has gathered no evidence to date of
a planned rally or protest, but one can be anticipated in and around the Downtown
area and Bart station at 14th and Broadway.
East: None known, but anticipating potential rioting and civil disobedience in the
East, especially around the Fruitvale Bart Station, known as EAST OAKLAND
The other most likely areas of concern are around the Fruitvale Bart Station and the route to
Oakland City Hall from the Bart station, and from Oakland City Hall up Telegraph Ave. up to
27th St.
C. Organization
Sergeant Kyle Thomas will be in command of the Air Support Operations supporting the
Operation Sentence, along with Officer Sean McClure on a 24/7 basis, based at the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) 1605 MLK Way.
Sergeant Thomas will be working 0600-1800 hours and can be reached at 510-385-4408
Officer McClure will be working 1800-0600 and can be reached at 510-812-7643
II. MISSION
The Oakland Police Department, with the assistance of other outside LE Agencies, will conduct
air support operations in order to provide real time intelligence and surveillance to Oakland
Police Department Commanders. The Oakland Police Department and other outside LE
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Agencies will provide 24-hour air support coverage for the City of Oakland during the
operational period of Operation Sentence.
III. EXECUTION
A. Commander’s Intent
The intent of the Oakland Police Department and other LE Agencies air support units is to
provide real time aerial intelligence to commanders making tactical decisions during Operation
Sentence. These same units will also attempt to provide video downlink capability back to the
EOC, and utilize FLIR technology and spotlights to support ground units when necessary. Air
support units shall maintain maximum flexibility, being able to disengage from less acute
situations to provide support to more critical incidents.
B. Concept of Operation
The Oakland Police Department’s Air Support Unit, ARGUS will be deployed on 5 Nov 10
beginning at 0900 hours. From that time period on, based on a 24 hour clock, outside LE
agencies will commence 24-hour operations. This will continue until OPD Commanders
determine the incident is over and air support is no longer needed.
C. Operational Elements
1. ARGUS (OPD)
The Oakland Police Department will deploy one of its two MD 500 helicopters in support of
Operation Sentence. The helicopter will be staffed by Chief Pilot Officer J. Villalobos and TFO
Officer J. Vanerwegen, with the backup TFO being Sgt. T. Mork. ARGUS has the ability to
provide downlink video to the EOC and MFF Commanders. ARGUS will be operational from
1200 to 2400 hours each day until the end of Operation Sentence is concluded. On 5 Nov 10,
ARGUS will be available from 0900-1200 as well.
2. CHP
The California Highway Patrol will deploy two fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters in support
of Operation Sentence. CHP 31 and 37, the fixed wing aircraft, will be deployed from 06001800 hours each day. CHP H30 and H32, the helicopters, will be deployed from 1800-0600
hours. All CHP units have OPD communications, but no downlink capability. The CHP air
support units will be operational each day until the end of Operation Sentence is concluded. CHP
hours of operation may change as needed.
3. FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation will deploy one aircraft in support of Operation Sentence.
AIR 1 will be deployed from 1600-0400 hours each day. AIR 1’s primary mission for the
support operations will be to provide downlink capability from the aircraft to the EOC for real
time decision making by OPD Commanders. The FBI can only communicate to the EOC
through a FBI handheld radio, which shall be kept at the EOC. The FBI air support unit will be
operational each day until the end of Operation Sentence is concluded.
4. DEA
The Drug Enforcement Agency will deploy one helicopter in support of Operation Sentence.
“Flint” will be deployed from 1100-2300 hours each day. The DEA helicopter does not have
OPD communications capability, so Sgt. T. Mork will be assigned as a communications officer
onboard the aircraft in order to provide communications between the aircraft and the EOC. The
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DEA does not have downlink capability. The DEA air support unit will be operational each day
until the end of Operation Sentence is concluded.
5. EBRP
The East Bay Regional Parks police air support operations have yet to be determined, but they
are anticipated to participate in support of Operation Sentence with one helicopter. EBRP has
the ability to provide downlink video to the EOC and MFF Commanders. The operational period
of the unit is anticipated to be 0600-1800 hours. (As of 4 Nov 10 – No participation expected)
6. REACH
REACH, can provide a standby helicopter for emergency medical evacuations if needed and
will be standing by when mutual aid is called. REACH will have the ability to Land and
evacuate OPD or LE personnel from the OPD Hanger or a field LZ at 18 th St. and Wood St.,
inside Raimundi Field. (Field can be lighted) This asset can provide critical medical evacuation
to Eden Hospital in San Leandro and John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek if needed when
Alameda County Hospital cannot accept any more trauma patients. (This asset will be confirmed
prior to 5 Nov 10 and contact info will be obtained then)
D. Area of Responsibility
The city of Oakland shall be the primary area of responsibility for air support operations.
Outside LE Agencies may be called out of the city of Oakland to support other operations. The
most likely departure will be by the CHP, who may support their field units in other jurisdictions.
The City shall be divided up in two areas, DOWNTOWN and EAST OAKLAND, with the
dividing line being Lake Merritt, the natural boundary into controlled airspace of the Oakland
International Airport. This natural boundary shall be used to separate aircraft, during the
operation when multiple LE aircraft are flying. Each air support unit shall maintain flight
operations in only one area to keep aircraft separation and safety margins. If multiple aircraft are
required to respond into the same area, it shall be at the discretion of the pilot as to whether to
respond. LE Aircraft shall communicate via air to air communications as well any other FAA
notifications required before operating in the same AOR.
E. Temporary Flight Restriction
OPD will attempt to have a TFR put into place during the operational period of Operation
Sentence only once civil disobedience equating to rioting has occurred. The purpose of the
TFR will be to maintain the safe operation of all aircraft and allowing sufficient separation of
other aircraft. In particular, media helicopters pose a potential danger to LE aircraft outside the
controlled airspace over DOWNTOWN. With downtown high-rise building, and potential
rioting and civil unrest anticipated in the downtown area, media interest will be extremely high.
In the past as many as 3-5 other helicopters have shared the same airspace, creating a potentially
hazardous situation for LE aircraft. The FBI shall be the lead on obtaining a TFR for the
duration and area Operation Sentence.
The draft language of the TFR is as follows, pending corrections (Oak’s VOR is down so the
TRF will be based on the SFO Radial) and the correct numbers to be used for contacting OPD;
!FDC Y/NNNN ZOA CA.. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS OAKLAND, CA. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.137(A)(1) TEMPORARY
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FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS. FLIGHT
OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED:
IN THE AIRSPACE AT AND BELOW 2000 FEET MSL WITHIN A 4 NMR OF 374705N/1221417W
OR THE OAKLAND (OAK) VORTAC 332 DEGREE RADIAL AT 003.6 NAUTICAL MILES.
EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED BELOW AND/OR UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY OF OAKLAND
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
1. MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE FIGHTING, AND MEDEVAC AIRCRAFT
OPERATIONS ARE PERMITTED.
2. ALL ARRIVALS OR DEPARTURES TO/FROM METRO OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT (KOAK) ARE PERMITTED.
3. AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS NECESSITATED FOR SAFETY OR EMERGENCY REASONS.
OAKLAND PD, TELEPHONE XXX-XXX-XXXX, IS IN CHARGE OF ON SCENE EMERGENCY
RESPONSE ACTIVITY. SAN FRANCISCO TRACON, TELEPHONE XXX-XXX-XXXX, IS THE
FAA COORDINATION FACILITY.
The altitudes flown by the air units are as follows;
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Surface to 1000 feet MSL – All Helicopter operations
1000 to 2000 feet MSL (optimum flight level is 1500 feet) – CHP Fixed-wing aircraft
2000 and above – Media helicopters can be anticipated
Approx. 6500 Feet MSL – AIR1
IV. COMMUNICATIONS
Communications
In order to cut down on confusion and make radio communication quick and concise, radio
communications will be from the LE aircraft via secure OPD Channel directly to the MFF
(Mobile Field Force) Commander. Once an LE aircraft has entered the operational area, they
will notify the EOC and then switch to the correct channel in the AOR and become operational.
If the EOC cannot be raised on patrol 5, then switch to the MFF channel and begin operations.
In the event that a separate event within the main operation occurs, most of the LE aircraft
always have the ability to communicate directly with ground units. This is particularly true with
all helicopters involved in the operation, and the ones most likely to be utilized from close air
support of a ground unit, or ground operation. The fixed wing aircraft utilized in this operation
will not be used to support smaller ground operations, but rather provide general over-watch and
downlink capabilities to OPD Commanders.
Primary communications shall utilize the OPD radio system.
Units shall remain on their primary channels during emergencies or critical incidents. Radio
shall patch channels together if necessary for coordination with Patrol units. Radio will direct
units not involved in the emergency to other channels if necessary.
Emergency Operation Center to LE Aircraft
CHANNEL
Primary
Secondary
SYSTEM
1
1
TALK GROUP
Patrol 5
TAC 4
EOC to air communications for AIR1 only will be via handheld radio on channel “Frank 7.”
EOC to air communications for CHP Fixed Wing shall be via OPD handheld, patched into
“Clamars 1” on Patrol 5. In the event of the need to CHP fixed-wing to communicate directly to
the MFF, they can communicate via “IA Law” which has been patched via Alameda County to
TAC4 and TAC5.
EOC to air communications for DEA Helicopter shall be via OPD handheld, patched into
“Clamars 1” on Patrol 5. In the event of the need to DEA to communicate directly to the MFF,
they can communicate via patch through Alameda County to TAC4, TAC5 and TAC6.
Air to air communications between LE Aircraft
CHANNEL
Primary
Secondary
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SYSTEM
Aviation Freq
Aviation Freq
5
TALK GROUP
122.875 (CHP)
124.3 (gldn gate)
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(FYI) OPD Communication with Mobil Field Force
CHANNEL
Primary Downtown
Primary East
Oakland*
Primary East Oakland
SYSTEM
1
1
TALK GROUP
Tac 4
Tac 5
1
Tac 6
* - Tac 5 will be used in the middle of the city encompassing the area around the Fruitvale Bart
station.
* - Tac 9 will be used for communications to the Staging Area.
(FYI) OPD Communication with normal Patrol Units
CHANNEL
Downtown/West Oak
Lake Merritt to
Seminary (Middle)
East Oakland
SYSTEM
1
1
TALK GROUP
Patrol 1
Patrol 2
1
Patrol 3
Other Important numbers
Emergency Operations Center OPD Dispatchers 238-2351 and 238-6017
Staging Area, Sgt. P. Green 418-6468
OPD Hanger (615-5874 not set up in new hanger yet, so use Ofc. Villalobos cell 812-4517)
BY ORDER OF:
Sergeant Kyle Thomas
OPD Air Support Unit
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ANNEX A: CONTACTS
KYLE THOMAS
OPD
[email protected]
510-385-4408
SEAN MCCLURE
OPD
[email protected]
510-812-7643
PHIL GREEN
OPD
[email protected]
510-418-6468
[email protected]
510-812-4517
JOE VILLALOBOS OPD
JON VANERWEGENOPD [email protected]
510-773-0457
KIRK CHANEY
CHP
[email protected]
707-257-0103
BRAD ELDER
CHP
[email protected]
707-257-0103
JEFF MORING
CHP
[email protected]
707-257-0103
ANDY CRODDY
DEA [email protected]
707-332-4547
CAL DALRYMPLE FBI
[email protected]
415-725-9158
DAN SCHLOEMER FBI
[email protected]
415-850-6112
RICK BELL
FBI
[email protected]
703-928-8415
ELDEN ESPERAS
FBI
[email protected]
760-725-9287
DAN BUTLER
FBI
[email protected]
510-455-1021
RICK ETHRIDGE
FBI
[email protected]
415-720-8482
[email protected]
415-716-6370
JHUNE FRANCISCOFBI
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ANNEX B: HOURS OF OPERATION
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