A Look Inside San Jose PD’s Air Support Unit: Improving Unit Culture and Professionalism

Episode Description

Welcome to episode 93 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

Join us from the floor of APSCON 2023 in Orlando Florida as we sit down and talk to Kris Kubasta, Christian Smith, and Nick Byrd from the San Jose Police Department's Air Support Unit. 

The San Jose Police Department Air Support Unit has an impressive program that has changed from an old-school flying club to a professional progressive and motivated Air Support Unit that is finding innovative ways to improve their program, their department, and most importantly put bad guys in jail while increasing safety margins for the folks on the ground.

As we talk with them they give us some insight into how they changed their unit and the importance they place on relentless training.

During the episode we profile their air support unit, revealing its size, operational scope, and the challenges they face. They talk about how they devise innovative strategies to combat local issues like side shows, street racing, and other criminal activity. 

The episode concludes with a discussion on the role of collaboration, adaptability, and team building within the police department, as well as a briefing on their TFO who won TFO of the year at this year's APSCON. 

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon.