For the first time in weeks, Atlanta’s police helicopters are back in the air. They are flying again after the crash earlier this month that claimed the lives of two of the city’s finest.

The Atlanta Police Air Unit has been grounded since November 3rd, when the McDonnell-Douglas OH-6 carrying Officers Richard Halford and Shawn Smiley slammed into a 42-foot tall power poll during the search for a 9-year old boy. The resulting fiery crash claimed the lives of both officers.

As a result, Mayor Kasim Reed grounded the air unit out of an abundance of caution – not because of concern about the aircraft, but rather, out of concern for the pilots and crew members, given the tremendous loss they had suffered. The return to flight is taking place without fanfare – just some practice flights today followed by a full return to service tomorrow.

Police refused requests for interviews about the return to flight. In a written statement, spokesman Carlos Campos said, “Our Air Unit is in the process of flying again. Today, pilots will be going up on some routine practice flights. We expect them to be in service, and ready to respond to calls, on Tuesday. We want their transition to flying again to be uneventful and routine.”