The San José Police Department's Air Support Unit has a new home. City leaders cut the ribbon Monday, Oct. 26, on an 11,000-square-foot hangar at 1114 Coleman Ave. on the Mineta International Airport campus, according to the city.
What's inside
The $19.1 million building replaces two helicopter hangars that were about 65 years old. It has two bays, electric vehicle chargers, a backup generator and room for the department's new fixed-wing plane. Construction ran from Jan. 16, 2024, to Aug. 21, 2026. The project was paid for by Measure T, the infrastructure bond voters approved in 2018. Hoodline noted the measure authorized up to $650 million in bonds.
Mayor Matt Mahan and Police Chief Paul Joseph were among the officials quoted in the city's announcement.
The helicopter
Hoodline reported that the department's helicopter, AIR3, is an Airbus AS-350 crewed by one sergeant, two officer pilots and two tactical observers. It answered 898 calls for service in 2024. Hoodline also said it helped recover about a third of the stolen vehicles that led to an arrest in 2023.