LAS VEGAS, NV – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) visited the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s (LVMPD) Air Support Unit this week to celebrate the $1 million in federal funding they secured. The federal funding is part of the Community Project Funding both senators secured in the Fiscal Year 2026 government funding law. LVMPD is the only agency in Southern Nevada with a full-scale manned helicopter unit, which assists with routine patrols, search & rescue operations, and security for big events.
KVVU Las Vegas: Federal funding boosts Las Vegas police’s air support unit
- 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.
- 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.
Las Vegas Sun: $1M in new federal funding will prevent delays for Las Vegas police helicopters
- The improvements are expected to strengthen the unit’s ability to carry out search-and-rescue missions, track suspects from the air and maintain operations when aircraft are out of service.
- The funding — $1,031,000 for “Air Support Equipment Enhancement” — was directed to Metro through the Community Project Funding process. The legislation, which became Public Law 119-74 in January, allows members of Congress to designate money for projects in their districts and states. Nevada Democratic Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto and Rep. Susie Lee submitted the request for Metro’s air unit.
- Rosen and Cortez Masto discussed the funding at a news conference Tuesday, highlighting the unit’s role in public safety across Southern Nevada.
- “They keep our tourists safe as they patrol over large events like the Super Bowl, Fourth of July fireworks and things like New Year’s Eve,” Rosen said.
KSNV Las Vegas: Rosen, Cortez Masto Announce Federal Funding For LVMPD Air Support Unit
Anchor: Las Vegas Metro’s Air Support Unit is receiving $1 million in federal funding. It’s part of Community Project Funding secured by U.S. Nevada Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto. Las Vegas Metro Police – the only Southern Nevada agency with a full scale manned helicopter unit. It assists with routine patrols, search and rescue operations, and security for the many large events we have in Southern Nevada.
Sen. Rosen: “And when you think about some of the rescues we have at Lake Mead or Red Rock, our tourists [are] safe as they patrol over large events like the Super Bowl, 4th of July fireworks and things like New Year’s Eve. So we are incredibly proud, Senator Cortez Masto and I, to bring this in particular, a million dollars worth of funding to be sure that this bird behind me has all the tools that it needs.
Anchor: And speaking of that need, last year, Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue Team saved more than 60 lives.
KTNV Las Vegas: Rosen, Cortez Masto Visit LMVPD Air Support Unit
Anchor: Now take a look over North Las Vegas, we are getting a better look at how officials are working to keep you safe. Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto got to inspect a helicopter while touring a hangar at the North Las Vegas Airport. That helicopter is being used to conduct major operations like search and rescues. The two senators helped secure over a million dollars in funding for Metro’s Air Support Unit. Officers saying this investment will help them keep our community safe. And the senators say it’s a privilege to help.
Sen. Rosen: We are incredibly proud, Senator Cortez Masto and I, to bring this in particular a million dollars worth of funding to be sure that this bird behind me has all the tools that it needs to keep improving, to keep people safe.
Telemundo Las Vegas: Rosen, Cortez Masto Announce Federal Funding for LVMPD Air Support Unit
Anchor: la senadora Jacky Rosen y también Catherine Cortez Masto visitaron la Unidad de Apoyo Aéreo del Departamento de Policía Metropolitana de Las Vegas para celebrar el millón de dólares en fondos federales que consiguieron para esta unidad.
Esmeralda Boveda: We’re also very unique here at LVMPD, because we have our search and rescue team that is a part of our air support unit and so our search and rescue team last year alone, they saved over sixty human lives and this year so far, we’re halfway through the year and so far they’ve saved over 70.
Anchor: El oficial de Metro Esmeralda Bóveda expresó que su departamento cuenta con una característica única ante este equipo de búsqueda y rescate que forma parte a su vez de la Unidad de Apoyo Aéreo y que el año pasado salvó 60 vidas humanas y más de 70 tan solo en lo que va de este 2026.
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