Hawthorne Police details Air 13 fixed-wing program, citing major narcotics seizures and regional partnerships

Captain Chris Port summarized the police department's fixed-wing "Air 13" program, its mission and examples of operational results. "Our overview of our mission is to provide real-time and situational information, provide a unique platform for local and regional use," Captain Port said, and described a pursuit that began in Los Angeles and ended in Moreno Valley where the airship tracked a vehicle that led to the recovery of methamphetamine and firearms.

Port showed seizure examples and said the aircraft has helped coordinate large narcotics recoveries and cash seizures across the county. He described funding streams that help underwrite operating costs, including Operation Stone Garden grants, DEA task-force partnerships and asset-forfeiture funds and noted some operations are offset by partner agencies. Staffing currently includes one full-time pilot, one part-time civilian pilot and five part-time tactical flight officers; Port said the department is exploring regionalization to run the aircraft more robustly.

Council praised the program's lower noise footprint compared with helicopters and credited the airship for officer and community safety benefits in pursuits and perimeters. Council asked about long-term costs and whether partner agencies would contribute; Port and staff said they are pursuing interagency buy-in to share costs and expand coverage for major events (FIFA, Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics). The council took no formal action at this meeting.