The Aviation Unit maintains fixed and rotary wing aircraft for use in attaining
goals and objectives relative to surveillance, controlled substance eradication,
crime scene management, patrol, and crime prevention.
The Aviation Unit provides airborne law enforcement support to all units within
the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Support includes search and rescue, surveillance,
patrol flights, drug searches, traffic enforcement, aerial photography for investigation
and courtroom presentation, searches for missing persons, missing boaters, and stolen
vehicles.