Coordinated by Officer Steve Thurston, with Officer Bryana Fierro also participating, the event featured a static display of more than two dozen emergency response helicopters. Commercial vendors showcased the latest advancements in airborne law enforcement technology, giving participating agencies an opportunity to evaluate new equipment and share best practices.
The annual fly-in, now in its 35th year, is designed to strengthen regional partnerships among law enforcement aviation units and advance the capabilities of agencies that rely on aerial support for public safety operations.
The Pasadena Police Department’s Air Operations Section provides aerial patrols, assists officers on the ground during calls for service, and monitors traffic conditions throughout the city. The unit also supports several other City of Pasadena departments: it assists the Pasadena Fire Department with brush surveys and fire management, and provides aerial photography for Public Works, Code Compliance, the Planning Division, and the City Attorney’s Office.
Beyond Pasadena, Air Ops participates in the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force, managing the task force’s air operations group on a cost-recovery basis. The unit also provides regional helicopter service to neighboring cities through the Foothill Air Support Team, known as F.A.S.T.
The Rose Bowl, which serves as the staging area for the annual event, is located at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive in Pasadena.
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