California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) incorporated aviation into its operations during the 1960s, introducing both airplanes and helicopters to enhance traffic control and law enforcement efforts. The Office of Air Operations (OAO) was subsequently established to oversee and coordinate this program across the agency's eight operational divisions. Early helicopter models included Hughes 500s and Fairchild Hiller FH-1100s.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the CHP expanded its rotary-wing fleet with the acquisition of Bell 206 LongRangers, MBB Bo. 105s, and Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS350 BA AStars. These more capable aircraft allowed the CHP to broaden its mission scope to include medical evacuations (medevac) and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, utilizing techniques such as short-haul and hoisting. These new capabilities proved vital, particularly for rural communities and remote areas of the state.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the CHP began standardizing its helicopter fleet. This involved acquiring 15 AS350 B3 AStars, each equipped with rescue hoists and advanced infrared and imaging technology. The enhanced performance of the B3 model, especially in high-altitude and hot environments, significantly improved the CHP's SAR capabilities.

A multi-year fleet replacement plan initiated in 2015 saw the delivery of the first of what will eventually be 15 H125s, which are upgraded and more powerful variants of the AS350 AStar, further advancing the CHP's air operations.

As of 2016 operates 15 airplanes and 15 helicopters with 170 CHP pilots and flight officers from eight air units throughout the state providing emergency response, homeland security missions, patrol of rural roadways, speed enforcement, special events, and transportation.

As of 2025, CHP's current fleet also includes various fixed-wing aircraft, such as the Cessna 206, GippsAero GA8 Airvan, and a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX