AIR SUPPORT UNIT

The mission of the Air Support Unit is to enhance statewide public safety by providing professional and effective aerial support to the Louisiana State Police and other law enforcement agencies operating within the State of Louisiana. The Unit is committed to delivering prompt and reliable air support to local, state, and federal law enforcement partners upon request.

Pilots assigned to Louisiana State Police Air Support have extensive training.  Once their training is complete, pilots are assigned to one of two strategically located Operations Bases in Baton Rouge or Alexandria. Each pilot within the Air Support Unit is a commissioned Louisiana State Trooper with full arrest authority. These pilots are selected based on extensive operational experience in areas such as Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Intelligence, and Gaming Enforcement. All pilots hold dual ratings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), qualifying them to operate both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft.

The Unit’s fleet comprises six airplanes and nine helicopters, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including Night Vision (NVG) compatibility, Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras, and high-intensity searchlights.  The combination of these capabilities, highly trained pilots, and a regional deployment model ensures rapid response to critical incidents and enhances operational efficiency by minimizing response times while mitigating pilot fatigue.

The Air Support Unit conducts a diverse range of critical missions, including dignitary transportation, disaster response, criminal surveillance, photo-reconnaissance, marijuana eradication, manhunts, fugitive extradition, speed enforcement, SWAT operations, search and rescue missions, and other emergency law enforcement support activities. These operations are carried out with a commitment to excellence, professionalism, and the safety of the citizens of Louisiana.