On December 5, 2009, American Eurocopter delivered a first EC145 to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), which already has a fleet of thirteen AS350 AStars. The EC145 offers the Texas DPS a spacious, fast and powerful helicopter that will add another dimension to the support services of its air unit. The helicopter will perform a wide range of missions, including law enforcement, search and rescue, firefighting, public safety duties and tactical support. American Eurocopter held a special ceremony at its Grand Prairie site to commemorate this important delivery. In his speech, American Eurocopter President Marc Paganini declared: “We have been working together for more than 20 years, and we are honored that the Texas DPS still looks to Eurocopter when choosing helicopters to perform its missions and to extend its fleet.”