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Ventura County Aviation Unit Successful Through January Storms

As we welcome a new month, we want to recognize the work of the Ventura County Aviation Unit, which was in full force throughout the month of January as residents navigated heavy rains and flooding. The team was successful in rescuing five individuals from the Santa Clara and Ventura Rivers and 80 individuals who were trapped in the Matilija Canyon. Additionally, the Ventura County Aviation Unit was tasked with rescuing several animals during the storms.
 
Established in 1971 under the umbrella of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, the Ventura County Aviation Unit now operates as a partnership between the Sheriff and Ventura County Fire Department and is based out of the Camarillo Airport.
 
“Being based out of Camarillo is invaluable to the residents of Ventura County,” said Capt. Randy Downard. “Having the ability to launch out of a centralized location cuts down on arrival time to an incident.”
 
Both Camarillo and Oxnard Airports play an active role as reliever airports for the National Transportation Service. The Airports also serve as a critical resource for emergency response in Ventura County and throughout the state, including through natural disasters (flooding, mudslides, wildfires, and more) and medical emergencies (including life flights).
 
To learn more about the Ventura County Airports, visit vcairports.org. To learn more about the Ventura County Aviation Unit, visit venturasheriff.org.