Sheriff's Aero Squadron

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Aero Squadron is an active group of volunteer pilots who donate their time and the use of personal or rented aircraft for missions supporting the Sheriff’s Department or other Law Enforcement organizations. The official purpose as stated in the Aero Squadron’s By-Laws is as follows:

Aero Squadron Purpose
“The Monterey County Sheriff’s Aero Squadron is formed, and shall exist, for the purpose of assisting the Sheriff of Monterey County in the performance of any of the duties of his office, as he shall determine, and in particular, to furnish assistance from the air during times of emergencies or disaster or other missions as directed by the Sheriff. No member or individual shall take it upon themselves to activate any form of law enforcement mission without the direct consent and approval of the Sheriff or his designee.”

Membership
The current members of the Aero Squadron come from a variety of backgrounds including retired and active law enforcement, ex-military, professional flight training, airline pilots, the Medical Profession, Engineering and Financial Management. Despite the wide diversity of career backgrounds, these pilots all share a passion for flying and a desire to serve their community. The current roster of members is as follows:

  • Irene Blodget
  • John DeLeuw
  • Jimmy Graham
  • Abe Hazbun
  • John Lotz
  • Ray Miller, Safety Pilot
  • Ken Petersen, Commander
  • Paul Phillips, Secretary-Treasurer
  • Ron Phoebus, Vice-Commander
  • Jerry Shull
  • Jim Vawter

Standing (L-R): Cmdr. Alan Wheelus (past Liaison Officer), Ken Petersen, Ray Miller,
John Lotz, Dr. James Vawter, Jimmy Graham, Jerry Shull, Irene Blodget, Ron Phoebus.
Front (kneeling): John DeLeuw, Paul Phillips.  Not Pictured: Abe Hazbun

Missions
In 2005, the Aero Squadron flew 24 missions consisting of nearly 80 flight hours and 143 volunteer hours. These missions have ranged from aerial surveillance for Stolen Vehicle Recovery and drug investigations to transporting various personnel such as witnesses to testify at trial and Sheriff’s Dept. personnel to interview witnesses or conduct other Department business. Most of these “transport” missions result in significant time savings for Department Personnel. For instance, several missions were flown to transport personnel to Carlsbad for development and acquisition of the Department’s Bomb Squad Truck. These missions would have required 7 hours driving time each way and possibly an overnight stay. With a flight time of less than 2.5 hours, various Department personnel were able to fly down in the morning, conduct their business and be back on the Monterey Peninsula before 5pm!

For the pilots who fly these missions, their satisfaction comes from the knowledge that they have had an opportunity to serve their community and from the appreciation shown by their passengers for the time and effort they have saved!


Sheriff Mike Kanalakis and Undersheriff Nancy Cuffney with Aero Squadron Pilot, Paul Phillips during an October 2005 mission to Ontario California.