LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto announced Tuesday more than $1 million in federal funding for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Air Support Unit, money the department says will pay for a rescue hoist, a high-powered searchlight, and a spare engine for its helicopter fleet.
The announcement came during a visit to the Air Support Unit’s hangar at North Las Vegas Airport. LVMPD Deputy Chief Esmeralda Boveda said the unit’s search and rescue team saved more than 60 lives in all of last year and has already surpassed 70 saves through the first half of 2026.
Equipment upgrades
The rescue hoist will be installed on one of the unit’s helicopters and will be used on every search and rescue operation. The high-powered searchlight will be mounted on patrol helicopters to assist officers during vehicle pursuits and searches for criminal suspects.
The spare engine is intended to reduce downtime when a helicopter goes offline for maintenance. Losing a hoist-capable aircraft to repairs sets back the unit’s day-to-day mission.
“The hoist, as we’ve discussed today, is going to be critical to continuing in our mission of saving human lives out there that need our assistance,” Boveda said. “The search light that’s going to be part of our helicopters is also going to continue in our efforts in combating violent crime and keeping this community safe.”
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Unit’s scope
The Air Support Unit responds to more than 9,000 calls for service per year, including vehicle pursuits and the apprehension of violent criminals. It is the only air support operation covering all of Clark County.
Senator Rosen cited rescues at Lake Mead and Red Rock Canyon, as well as aerial patrols over large events including the Super Bowl, Fourth of July fireworks, and New Year’s Eve, as examples of the unit’s work.
“It is my honor and privilege to stand here with the Metropolitan Police Department and to give them the tools, training, technology, and resources that they need to keep themselves safe and to keep our community safe,” Rosen said.
Senator Cortez Masto said the federal delegation — including U.S. Rep. Susie Lee — worked in collaboration with the department to secure the funding.
“It is important we collaborate and fight for that funding,” Cortez Masto said. “In this case, over a million dollars to come to essential components that we need for air support here.”
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