Welcome to the Aviation Unit, I am Lt. Neal Dixon the Unit Commander, your host. My career with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office began shortly after graduating high school. I was assigned to work in the Corrections Bureau where I became a certified Corrections Officer. After four years, I transferred to the Patrol Division where I served as a Patrol Deputy and a Property Crimes Detective. During my time in patrol I was afforded the opportunity to work as a part time observer with the Aviation Unit. It was after my first flight that I knew I wanted to be a pilot. In the early nineties I was assigned to the Aviation Unit as a full time observer. During that time, I obtained my helicopter license and worked my way up to pilot in command status.  I flew as a shift pilot until January 2005 when I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and became the Unit Commander. Today I still serve in that position and was blessed in early May 2006 with a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant.

I would like to share with you a little history and information about your Aviation Unit.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit was established in 1974 with the purchase of three Bell47G military surplus helicopters. The three aircraft were utilized until early 1990 at which time they were sold. In 1994, the Aviation Unit purchased a Hughes 500D light utility helicopter and equipped it for nighttime law enforcement patrol. About mid 1995, the military began down sizing and the Sheriff’s Office acquired two 1970’s model Bell OH-58 light helicopters through a surplus program. These two aircraft are still in service today and are equipped with up to date FLIR systems, video downlink, spotlights and a moving map computer.

The mission of the Aviation Unit is to support all law enforcement activity and personnel in Marion County. This support includes, but is not limited to, search and rescue, surveillance, pursuits, marijuana eradication, photo flights for court purposes and any crime that may be in progress or just occurred.

The Aviation Unit is housed at the Ocala Regional Airport in a hanger owned by the Sheriff’s Office.  Assigned to the Unit are five full time pilots, one full time observer, four part time observers, two civilian volunteer pilots and an FAA certified maintenance technician. All pilots and observers are certified law enforcement officers who have served as a road deputy prior to assignment with the air unit.

Thank you for visiting our web site. Should you find yourself in the area of the Ocala airport and would like to stop in to tour our facility please give us a call. We love to show off our aircraft equipment.

Lieutenant Neal Dixon