The San Miguel Sheriff’s Office acquired a new helicopter

SAN MIGUEL, Colo. (KRDO) -- The San Miguel Sheriff's Office (SMSO) announced the acquisition of a new helicopter, an Airbus H-125.

The aircraft was generously donated by an anonymous donor and will be used for missions such as Search and Rescue or for firefighting, according to the SMSO.

The SMSO says that this helicopter is primarily used for high-performance missions at high altitudes and is the only helicopter to have landed and taken off from Mount Everest at just over 29,000 feet.

Sheriff Bill Masters said, “This is a valuable and much appreciated new asset. When we need air resources, we need them ASAP. This will help us best respond to emergency situations that require aircraft and allow us to assist other regional agencies who may need it.”

Sheriff Masters reminds all who venture into the backcountry to get their CORSAR card. “I can’t emphasize enough the importance of carrying this card. We rely on these state funds as much as you rely on Search and Rescue."

CORSAR cards can be accessed here.