The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO) Aviation Unit hosted its annual fly-in event at Hemet-Ryan Airport on Oct. 24. Held at the unit’s hangar, the event brought together regional aviation units, including representatives from law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, and related fields.
The fly-in served as a critical opportunity for participants to share insights, exchange best practices, discuss safety protocols, and learn from each other’s real-world experiences. Alongside the participating units, numerous industry vendors attended to provide demonstrations and discussions about equipment and services that can enhance aviation safety and unit operational efficiency.
A particular focus this year was interagency cooperation, especially as it applies to large-scale, coordinated responses to natural disasters in Southern California.
“This year, we were emphasizing fostering safety, collaboration, and coordination within our local airborne law enforcement and aerial firefighting community,” said Mike Calhoun, chief pilot with the RSO Aviation Unit, describing the theme of this year’s event.
A panel discussion that included SR3 Rescue Concepts instructors Stef Maier and Rob Munday, Tactical Flying owner Nick Minx, Tactical Flying instructor Ryan Welch, retired Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) pilot Deb Dickerson, LAPD chief tactical flight officer (TFO) Manny Dickerson, and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department pilot Tony Weber focused on issues central to the industry. This included deployment methods, equipment upgrades, and training and tactical improvements designed to make responses to emergencies safer and more efficient.
As recent wildfire events have shown, coordinated efforts are essential. Southern California aviation units face the unique challenge of responding rapidly across vast areas with difficult terrain.
In the event of a large-scale disaster, such as a fire or earthquake, these aviation units could be tasked with transporting personnel, equipment, or civilians if ground routes become impassable.
“These types of events help ensure that units are prepared to respond collaboratively, bridging any gaps in communication or resources when emergencies occur,” Calhoun said. “Having units from neighboring counties like San Diego, Los Angeles, San Bernadino, and Orange County, along with agencies like Cal Fire and even the U.S. Marine Corps, enables teams to familiarize themselves with each other and the various capabilities of each unit, which could be crucial in joint operations.”
While the missions may differ between each agency, their roles often overlap during large-scale emergencies, where coordination and mutual understanding are critical to ensuring efficient use of resources and timely responses. Seeing equipment firsthand and discussing strategies with nearby units strengthens regional networks and helps avoid delays that might occur during a crisis if unfamiliar teams are working together for the first time.
Numerous industry representatives also attended the event, showcasing a range of aviation equipment and services designed to enhance safety and operational effectiveness. For public safety aviation teams, this is a valuable opportunity to see emerging technologies and products — from advanced communication systems to specialized rescue equipment.
“Networking with these vendors at events like this directly enables units to schedule product demonstrations or consultations specific to their needs, making it easier to incorporate improvements without the need for extensive travel,” Calhoun said.
He said this year’s fly-in saw an enthusiastic turnout, with many helicopters carrying full crews in from around the region. The event’s continued success is attributed to its hands-on format, where participants could see each other’s aircraft and equipment up close, discuss unique challenges in their respective regions, and strengthen ties that are crucial to interagency disaster response.
“The 2024 event really reinforced the importance everyone places on networking and preparedness, showing that building these connections is as much about practical training as it is about community resilience,” Calhoun said.
