Air Support Unit

SHERIFF’S OFFICE AIR SUPPORT UNIT

The Air Support Unit has been in existence for over thirty years. Originally titled Sheriff’s Aero Squadron, the non-profit organization’s members were civilian and sworn Sheriff’s Office personnel. In 1994, the organization was reformed and became the valued team that it is today.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is fortunate to have an Air Support Unit to assist with local law enforcement needs. The team is comprised mostly of volunteer civilian pilots from within the community. Five sworn Sheriff’s Office pilots are also on the team, one is an FAA Certified Flight Instructor and manager of all air operations.

The Air Support Unit is the only such special team in Santa Cruz County and is available for missions that include Search & Rescue, Special Teams support, surveillance, transportation missions, aerial photographs of major crime scenes, and aerial overviews to provide information following natural disasters.

Due to the County’s natural rugged terrain, the Sheriff's Office receives many calls for search and rescue and often only the Sheriff’s Air Support Unit is capable of providing appropriate coverage in these remote and hard to reach areas. Airborne radio relay capabilities expedite ground search personnel to lost or injured victims increasing their chances for survival.

Federal Aviation Regulations apply to all Sheriff’s Office missions. To become a civilian volunteer pilot for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, you must maintain an FAA Pilot Certificate with instrument rating, a current FAA Medical Certificate, own an aircraft capable of instrument flight that will meet the needs of the organization, and pass a flight proficiency check with the Sheriff’s Office Flight Instructor.