Protecting the citizens of Walton County from the clouds.

The Aviation Unit services the entire surface area of Walton County, which is 1066 square miles, and more. We provide mutual aid to surrounding counties without aviation assets to include counties in Alabama and to Eglin Air Force Base. We are one of the few agencies in the area that have an air unit.

Currently, the unit utilizes two (2) OH-58C helicopters that were acquired from the U.S. Army at Fort Drum, New York. These helicopters are equipped with engines that produce 420 SHP and can produce a top speed of 120 kts. They can also accomodate four (4) personnel on board including the pilot. The Sheriff's Office refurbished most of the avionics and interior to better fit the its needs versus military missions. One of our helicopters is outfitted with Forward Looking Infrared or "F.L.I.R." and a Night Sun Spotlight. Using the F.L.I.R. and aviator Night Vision Goggles or "N.V.G.s", the pilot can "see in the dark". The aviation unit has two (2) deputies assigned. Both deputies are aviators in the U.S. Army Reserves. They are trained on a multitude of fixed and rotary winged aircraft. Some of those aircraft include the UH-1H Huey, OH-58A Kiowa, Bell 206, and the UH-60A Blackhawk.

The Aviation Unit handles about 200 missions or requests for assistance each year. Some of these missions include Search & Rescue, Fugitive Apprehension, Arial Surveillance, Marijuana Eradication, Beach Safety, and other investigative functions. The Aviation Unit has assisted in murder investigations, environmental protection investigations, narcotics investigations, FAA/NTSB investigations as well as assisting the U.S. Marshal Service with fugitive apprehension in the area and water & beach rescues along the Emerald Coast.