Carabineros de Chile

The history of the Prefectura Aérea de Carabineros began on June 16, 1948, with the founding of the Carabineros Aero Club, established by officers who recognized the strategic advantages of aviation for police work. The unit evolved from a volunteer club into a formal institutional branch known as the "Brigada Aeropolicial" on February 17, 1960. It was later elevated to the category of "Prefectura Aeropolicial" in April 1972, establishing its main operations at the Eulogio Sánchez (Tobalaba) airfield in Santiago. In 2009, the unit officially adopted its current name, Prefectura Aérea de Carabineros.

Throughout its history, the Prefecture has played a critical role in high-stakes operations across Chile, transitioning from early aircraft like the Cessna 170 to advanced helicopters. One of its most famous historical milestones was the 1981 rescue at the Santa María Tower fire in Santiago, where MBB Bo-105 helicopters performed high-risk evacuations of 19 people from the rooftop under extreme conditions. Today, as of 2026, the Prefecture operates a decentralized network of air sections across the country, focusing on crime prevention, aeromedical evacuations, and specialized tactical support alongside units like the GOPE.