The San José Police Department (SJPD) has opened a new 11,000-square-foot hangar for its Air Support Unit, a project funded through the city's Measure T bond program. This facility is described by the department as a long-awaited upgrade for the unit's operations.
The new hangar will accommodate the unit's AIR3 helicopter and a new fixed-wing aircraft, which is expected to enter full service in the near future. The SJPD noted in a statement that the facility "marks another significant investment in San José's public safety infrastructure through Measure T, continuing the City's work to modernize facilities that meet the evolving" needs of the department.
The Air Support Unit's primary role extends beyond patrol to provide aerial services for both the SJPD and other agencies across Santa Clara County. Its main objective is to support ground officers, focusing on public and officer safety. Key tasks include pursuits, apprehending fleeing suspects, and searching for missing persons considered "at risk."
The unit currently operates an Airbus AS-350 helicopter, known as AIR3, staffed by one sergeant, two officer pilots, and two officer tactical observers. AIR3 typically flies seven days a week when it is not undergoing maintenance.
City officials highlight the new hangar as an infrastructure priority based on the unit's impact. In 2023, AIR3 was responsible for the recovery of approximately one-third of San José's reported stolen vehicles that resulted in an arrest. The following year, AIR3 responded to 898 calls for service, which included assistance provided to outside law enforcement agencies and the San Jose Fire Department.
The unit's mutual-aid capabilities have been demonstrated in past events. On August 10, 2024, AIR3 assisted the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in rescuing a stranded and injured hiker. The aircraft is trained and certified to conduct short-haul rescues. The unit's 2022 operations manual outlines its broad mission, which includes providing aerial support and expertise for the Bureau of Field Operations, the Bureau of Investigations, and various administrative and city-government needs, using both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Unit flights are subject to regulation, with normal operations required to comply with existing department policies and Federal Aviation Regulations. The SJPD classifies AIR3 as a Public Aircraft Operation used specifically for law-enforcement purposes.
This is not the first upgrade for the unit. In 2018, the SJPD replaced its previous helicopter, Air2, with the current AIR3 aircraft, a change that expanded the unit's capabilities to include cliff-side rescue operations and water drops on wildfires.
The funding for the new hangar comes from Measure T, a 2018 ballot measure that authorized the City of San José to issue up to $650 million in general-obligation bonds. These bonds were designated to finance disaster preparedness, public safety, and infrastructure projects. Public safety has been a consistent beneficiary of these funds, with Measure T recommendations including allocations for police station construction, patrol unit funding, and upgrades for police headquarters.
Other cities, such as Burbank/Glendale in Southern California, have also invested in dedicated police aviation facilities. San José's new 11,000-square-foot facility aligns with this approach, providing a modern and permanent base to support reliable air operations for regional public safety. The SJPD has not yet provided specific details regarding the hangar's exact location, construction cost, or a precise completion timeline beyond its announcement. The department frames the project as an investment aimed at ensuring its aircraft and crew continue to provide aerial oversight for San José for years into the future.
