Air Squadron
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Air Squadron is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization comprised of highly trained volunteer fixed wing pilots, remote pilots (drone operators), aviation technicians, and support personnel. These dedicated volunteers donate their time, expertise, and aviation resources to assist the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office in conducting search and rescue operations and supporting public safety missions throughout Fresno County.
Founded in 1939, the Air Squadron was originally established as a Search and Rescue (SAR) unit and has proudly upheld that mission for more than 85 years. Throughout its history, the organization has played a vital role in locating lost and missing persons, supporting emergency response efforts, and providing critical aerial resources during incidents where time is of the essence. Through a longstanding partnership with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Air Squadron continues to serve the community with professionalism, dedication, and a commitment to saving lives.
Serving a Large and Diverse County
Fresno County spans more than 6,000 square miles near the geographic center of California. Its terrain is among the most diverse in the state:
• West: Coastal Range foothills exceeding 4,000 feet
• Center: The Central Valley at approximately 300 feet in elevation, home to most of the county’s nearly one million residents
• East: The Sierra Nevada Mountains, with peaks rising above 14,000 feet
Advanced Technology and Capabilities
The Air Squadron continually evolves with advances in aviation and communications technology. Current capabilities include:
• Turbocharged fixed-wing aircraft for high-altitude and long-range operations
• An active and expanding remote pilot (drone) program
• Advanced avionics, GPS navigation systems, and electronic flight bags
• Real-time mission coordination using CalTopo with the Sheriff’s Incident Command
• Starlink satellite internet for reliable communication in remote or mountainous areas
These tools significantly enhance mission effectiveness, allowing aircrews to conduct faster, safer, and more accurate searches. While early missions often involved one or two crew
members, today’s sorties may include four to five personnel to maximize operational effectiveness.
Our Volunteers and Fleet
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Air Squadron is composed of more than 30 volunteers and a
fleet of privately owned single-engine aircraft and drones. All pilot flight time, aircraft use, and drone operations are donated.
Training and Regional Cooperation
The Air Squadron is a proud member of the Western States Association of Sheriff’s Air
Squadrons and regularly participates in joint training exercises to maintain high levels of pilot proficiency and aerial observation skills.
Every two years, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Air Squadron hosts the Hotter ’n Hell Western
States Training Event at an airport within Fresno County. This event brings together sheriff air squadrons from across the western United States to share knowledge, conduct advanced training, and strengthen inter-agency coordination for successful search and rescue operations.
In the event of a regional disaster or major emergency, member squadrons of the Western
States Association can mobilize quickly to assist affected communities under coordinated law enforcement leadership.
Join the Air Squadron
The Air Squadron welcomes dedicated volunteers with a wide range of skills, including:
• Fixed-wing, rotorcraft, and drone pilots
• Aircrew and observers
• Communications and technology specialists
• Mission planners and support personnel
If you have skills to offer and a desire to serve your community, we encourage you to email
