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, known as “STAR” (Sheriff’s Tactical Airborne Response) have been in continuous operation since 1977. and flew from 3:00 pm to 3:00 am every day, providing air support to patrol and ground based operations.

The unit operated unchanged until May, 1984 when the purchase of the first jet turbine helicopter was made. A Hughes 500D (STAR II)was now part of the fleet. A Hughes 300 (STAR I) and a 500D (STAR II) was flown until the spring of 1992 when the purchase of a second 500D (STAR III) was introduced into the mix. In 1992, the Hughes 300’s were retired and only the two 500D’s were flown. STAR II was damaged in a crash in October, 1995 and in early 1996, it was replaced with STAR IV, a 500E.

The 1990’s also ushered in the HUEY program. In 1995, the detail obtained four, Bell UH-1H (HUEY) helicopters through the military surplus program. The HUEY’s were intended to expand the range of capabilities and missions the air operations bureau could perform. This included search & rescue, SWAT/tactical missions, marijuana eradication, and other specialized endevours. The HUEY’s took the unit in a whole new direction, giving it the ability to expand and enhance mission capabilities. The detail ultimately sold two of the HUEY’s to offset the cost of upgrading the other two (STAR X and STAR XI), and to help offset the cost of a future purchase of the 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 purchase of the first EC120 (STAR V) was made in October, 2000, followed by STAR VI in April, 2001 and STAR VII in October, 2001.

On July 13, 2005, Star VI suffered a catastrophic engine failure causing it to crash. The crew, pilot/Deputy Joe Kievernagel and Tactical Flight Officer/Deputy Kevin Blount were killed, and Tactical Flight Officer(trainee)/Deputy Eric Henrikson was severily injured.

STAR VI was replaced in August, 2006 by STAR VIII, another EC120.

The unit 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 the unit has been in existence, many things have changed, but much has remained the same. Although the aircraft we fly have changed and multiplied, we are still a small unit, with one lieutenant, one sergeant, 10 full-time deputies, and three full-time mechanics.