September 29,2007
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Air Operations Bureau was formed in 1977 with two Hughes 300 helicopters, eight sworn deputies and one civilian mechanic. The helicopters are known as “STAR” (Sheriff’s Tactical Airborne Response). The unit flew from 3:00 pm to 3:00 am every day, providing air support to patrol and ground based operations.

The Air Bureau operated unchanged until May, 1984 when the department purchased the first jet turbine helicopter, a Hughes 500D (STAR II). The Hughes 300 (STAR I) and one 500D (STAR II) were flown until the spring of 1992 when the department purchased a second 500D (STAR III). In 1992, the Hughes 300’s were retired and only the two 500D’s were used, until STAR II was damaged in a crash in October, 1995. In early 1996, STAR II was replace with STAR IV, a 500E.

The 1990’s also ushered in the HUEY program. In 1995, four Bell UH-1H (HUEY) helicopters were obtained through the military surplus program. The HUEY’s were intended to expand the range of capabilities and to perform missions our patrol helicopters were incapable of. This included search & rescue, SWAT, tactical missions, marijuana eradication, and other specialized missions. The HUEY’s took the unit in a whole new direction, giving it the ability to expand and enhance mission capabilities. Ultimately, the department sold two of the HUEY’s to offset the cost of upgrading the other two (STAR X and STAR XI), and to offset the cost of a future purchase of 3 Eurocopter EC120 helicopters.

In the late 1990’s, the department realized the need to replace it's aging fleet of MD500’s. After much research and consideration, the decision was made to purchase the Eurocopter EC120. The first purchase of an EC120 (STAR V) was made in October, 2000, closely followed by STAR VI in April, 2001 and STAR VII in October, 2001.

On July 13, 2005, a catastrophic engine failure caused STAR VI to crash, killing Deputy Joe Kievernagel and Deputy Kevin Blount, and severely injuring Deputy Eric Henrikson. STAR VI was replaced in August, 2006 by STAR VIII, another EC120.

The Air Operations Bureau also operates four fixed-wing aircraft used for investigative support and transportation of department personnel. The airplanes are staffed by two full-time fixed-wing deputy sheriff pilots.

Throughout the thirty years this unit has been in existence, many things have changed, and yet many things have remained the same. Although the aircraft flown have changed and multiplied, the detail is still a small unit, with one lieutenant, one sergeant, 10 full-time deputies, and three full-time mechanics.