The Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit provides air support to the Georgia State Patrol and other state, federal, and local agencies in support of public safety interest for the citizens of Georgia. The Aviationunit is comprised of 14 helicopters that are located at six locations throughout the State. The operation locations are in Kennesaw,Thomson, Athens, Albany, Reidsville, and Perry
The unit performs search and rescue missions utilizing FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) camera systems and Night Vision Goggles. Many missing persons and criminals have been located using this technology. Other services include: manhunts, transportation of state officials, aerial photography, aerial surveillance,natural disasters, SWAT missions, forest fires, and static displays (high schools and colleges civic groups local law enforcement agencies air shows and churches
Another valuable service provided by Aviation is microwave downlink equipment. With this capability, live footage from one of the helicopters can be sent back to a command post. This has been performed at many different events throughout Georgia providing detail commanders with a bird's eye view of traffic or other potential problems.