This operator profile is part of our Blades of Valor Road Tour — a special series spotlighting outstanding law enforcement aviation units across North America. Related podcasts and video content are linked at the end of the article. Photos by Brent Bundy and Lloyd Horgan.
The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Air Support Unit has grown from a modest operation into one of the most capable and respected public safety aviation units in California.
What began with a seized helicopter taken from a drug ring has evolved into a modern fleet of Airbus H125s, and the Air Support Unit has become a vital component of SDPD’s mission.
Now, under the leadership of chief pilot Sgt. Matt Zdunich, the unit remains committed to operational excellence while also preparing for the next generation of aviation-based law enforcement.
Humble beginnings
The origins of SDPD’s aviation unit date back to 1988, when the department impounded a Bell JetRanger from a methamphetamine drug operation. That aircraft was retrofitted for law enforcement use and became the first operational rotorcraft in the department’s history.
Prior to that, SDPD relied on a rented Cessna for occasional surveillance missions, but the confiscated JetRanger marked the true launch of its aviation program.
Using asset-forfeiture funding, the unit expanded its fledgling fleet — first with an additional JetRanger, followed by a LongRanger. At the time, the operation consisted of only a small core of full-time pilots, supported by officers who flew collateral to their regular assignments. The aircraft were parked at Montgomery Field Airport and launched as needed, without a dedicated maintenance staff or their own hangar space.
Growth and standardization
By the early 2000s, SDPD was moving toward a more permanent and professionalized aviation presence. Around 2004, under then-Police Chief Bill Lansdowne, the department began prioritizing fleet standardization — a visible marker of big-city policing.
Four new Airbus AS350 B3 AStar helicopters were acquired and delivered between 2006 and 2007. The decision to adopt the AStar was driven not only by its performance, but also by ergonomic advantages, as some officers found Bell cockpits too restrictive. Hangar One in Carlsbad, California, has since provided the law enforcement completions for SDPD’s aircraft.
During this period, the unit also relocated into a more suitable facility at Montgomery Field, offering the hangar space and operational support it previously lacked. Maintenance work was contracted to Rotorcraft Support Inc. (RSI) — a model still in place today.
RSI’s independence from city procurement processes enables faster parts sourcing and labor coordination, keeping aircraft available when needed. Notably, the same lead mechanic has supported the unit for more than 30 years, providing rare continuity through multiple contract cycles.
Shedding the fixed-wing fleet
As the Air Support Unit transitioned to a modern fleet of Airbus AS350 B3 helicopters, it continued operating fixed-wing Cessna 182s for surveillance missions. For years, those aircraft had been valuable assets — particularly during prolonged overwatch and covert operations.
But the introduction of the Teledyne FLIR 380-HDc camera system on the new AStars marked a turning point. With enhanced imaging capabilities, paired with the helicopter’s ability to hover and maneuver in tight urban environments, the rotorcraft could now perform surveillance work that once required fixed-wing support.
The high-definition FLIR system delivered long-range thermal imaging, daylight clarity, and real-time video downlink — ideal for monitoring city streets, tracking fleeing suspects, and supporting search operations.
By 2012, helicopters equipped with this technology were meeting nearly all surveillance needs, and doing so with greater flexibility. The unit ultimately phased out its Cessnas and fully consolidated around its rotary-wing fleet, streamlining operations and maximizing the capability of its upgraded aircraft.
The move to the H125
In 2018, SDPD began evaluating options for replacing its aging AS350 B3 fleet. A cost-efficiency analysis revealed that transitioning to new Airbus H125s (formerly the B3e) would nearly double the time between overhauls and significantly reduce long-term operating costs. The city approved the acquisition in 2020, and the first H125 was delivered shortly after.
Progress stalled when the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected financial strain, resulting in budget freezes that paused the remaining aircraft orders. For a time, the unit operated with only a single H125 while its legacy airframes continued flying out their remaining service life.
Funding was reauthorized in late 2023, allowing the procurement to resume under the original contract terms. By early 2025, three H125s had entered service, and the fourth and final arrived in October — completing the unit’s transition to a fully modernized fleet. The purchase of the final aircraft will be offset in part through the trade-in value of the last remaining AS350 B3.
Each aircraft is identically equipped with an updated technology suite, including L3Harris Wescam MX-10 EO/IR camera systems replacing older FLIR 8500 units, upgraded tactical radios, digital mapping, and other mission-specific law enforcement tools.
Leadership, staffing, and shift strategy
Sgt. Zdunich brings more than 20 years of experience to his role as chief pilot. Since joining SDPD in 2001, he has worked patrol, SWAT, undercover narcotics, and crime suppression — even spending time partnered with his brother on the same beat.
Zdunich served briefly as an acting sergeant before being selected for the Air Support Unit, where he has now served for 13 years. He was officially promoted to sergeant in early 2025. His broad background in patrol, special operations, and aviation provides a deep operational foundation for the unit’s leadership.
The Air Support Unit is staffed by 14 personnel: two sergeants and 12 officers, with 10 positions allocated for pilots. As of early 2025, staffing included three sergeants (to support succession planning), eight officers, and one trainee tactical flight officer (TFO). When one sergeant retired in June, the roster shifted to two sergeants and eight officers, with recruitment underway to fill remaining vacancies.
The unit operates on a dual-shift schedule designed for maximum coverage. Day shift runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., while night shift operates from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Although flights are not formally scheduled, the unit maintains a reliable rhythm: daytime crews typically launch at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., while night crews usually fly at 6 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and 12:30 a.m.
This structure allows for steady airborne presence during high-activity periods while maintaining flexibility for mission demand. From 3 a.m. to 7 a.m., the unit is not staffed on-site, but call-out procedures ensure aircraft can still launch when needed.
Training, recruitment, and succession
The Air Support Unit places strong emphasis on continuity and long-term development. Succession planning is structured, with TFOs eligible to move into pilot training after time spent in the unit.
As of spring 2025, nine SDPD officers had submitted transfer requests to join the unit. Two current TFOs were being considered for pilot tracks, and the department intends to bring in new TFOs roughly every six months to sustain training pipelines and minimize disruption to flight availability.
The unit also aims to broaden its pilot skillset. Zdunich expressed a desire for ongoing professional growth beyond routine mission flying. “I would like to see all the pilots get their instrument ratings. We don’t do that at this point,” he said. “I would also like to see us be able to get more specialized training like mountain flying courses.”
The future of SDPD Aviation Unit
While many public safety aviation units seek more aircraft, hoist capability, or expanded staffing, Zdunich takes a measured and deliberate view of growth. “For us, what we have is working and working well,” he said. “I’d love to see more training, more personnel to shore up our staffing, and maybe one or two additional pilots to create more flexibility. But we’re not looking to double in size or change who we are.”
One area he sees as central to future capability is drone integration. SDPD’s drone program — developed with input from the Air Support Unit — already operates closely alongside helicopter crews. In standoff or static situations, drone teams can relieve aircraft, conserving flight hours and allowing helicopters to reposition for more dynamic calls.
There has also been discussion of reintroducing fixed-wing surveillance, but San Diego’s marine layer complicates year-round use. Adding another platform would also require additional training and currency, which could strain an already lean roster. As Zdunich put it, “There’s a beauty in having a narrow mission and being excellent at it.”
Steady skies ahead
From its first flight in a seized drug-running helicopter to a fully modernized Airbus H125 fleet, the SDPD Air Support Unit has evolved into a highly capable and disciplined operation. Under steady leadership, with a focus on efficiency, thoughtful modernization, and high training standards, the unit has built a model that works — and works well. Rather than pursuing growth for growth’s sake, the unit is committed to precision, professionalism, and mission-readiness.
If the coming years reflect the same foresight and restraint guiding the unit today, San Diego’s skies will remain well protected for a long time to come.
Want to learn more about the SDPD Air Support Unit? In our Summer 2025 issue of Vertical Valor, Hangar Z Podcast co-host Jack Schonely explored how San Diego is using FLIR technology to elevate aerial policing. Now, Schonely and co-host Jon Gray go even deeper in a two-part podcast series (Part 1, Part 2), featuring candid conversations with members of the SDPD Air Support Unit.
Sponsored by Airbus, this story is part of the Blades of Valor Road Tour — a special series spotlighting some of the most exceptional law enforcement aviation units across North America. Stay tuned — we’re gearing up for another year as the Blades of Valor Road Tour continues in 2026. In the meantime, relive our 2025 road tour through this incredible video captured by Lloyd Horgan.