Air Support Directorate (Lower Mainland Constabulary)

The Air Support Directorate is one of eleven directorates of the Lower Mainland Constabulary (LMC). While its primary purpose is to provide air support to the patrol and emergency response operations of the constabulary, all other aviation units are part of the directorate, regardless of their primary purpose. For example, the Lower Mainland Constabulary owns and operates two Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft for important executive transport, as well as a single McDonnell-Douglas MD-11 for logistical purposes, both of which are operated by pilots of the Air Support Directorate. The Air Support Directorate has a total of 18 operational aircraft: 9 rotary wing (helicopters), 6 fixed wing (airplanes) and 3 UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles/drones).

All LMC pilots are civilian personnel and thus fall under the civilian hierarchy; pilot cadets (trainees) and qualified pilots are ranked at the first tier (clerk), pilot instructors as well as police aviation/air support coordinators the second tier (secretary), while the third and highest tier (director) is reserved for the civilian commander of the directorate (Director of Air Support) and his deputy (Deputy Director of Air Support). The 1st and 2nd Tactical Response Units of the LMC's Counterterrorism Directorate have specially-trained officers capable of providing fire support from rotary wing aircraft, with the POC (pilot-in-command) answerable to the commanding officer of the tactical unit aboard the respective helicopter; similarly, Strategic Firearms Command has a paratrooper unit which is transported directly above its target by fixed wing aircraft, typically one of the Auxiliary Air Transport Units' CRJ-200s.

Units

 * 1st Rotary Wing Patrol Unit (AP-1): Each Rotary Wing Patrol Unit operates a single Sikorsky S-76 utility helicopter for air patrol and air support purposes, as well as a second S-76 which remains grounded unless needed to replace the main S-76 temporarily while undergoing repairs, refurbishment, etc. This means that the LMC owns six S-76 helicopters, but only ever uses 3 at a time, with each Rotary Wing Unit having only enough pilots, mechanics and other support personnel to operate a single helicopter at a time;
 * 2nd Rotary Wing Patrol Unit (AP-2): See above;
 * 3rd Rotary Wing Patrol Unit (AP-3): See above;
 * Police Aviation Training Unit (KPA-PAT): Technically part of the Kennedy Police Academy hierarchy but integrated into the Air Support Directorate, responsible for training all LMC pilots; operates two Bell 206L LongRangers for rotary wing training, and a single Cessna 208B Grand Caravan for fixed wing training; also periodically leases other aircraft as needed for specialised training purposes;
 * Transport & Logistics Unit (AP-TL): Responsible for the airlift and logistics transport needs of the constabulary; operates a single McDonnell Douglass MD-11, and a single Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter purchased from the Royal Canadian Air Force;
 * Executive Air Transport Unit (AP-EX): Responsible for transportation of executive-ranking LMC officers and other senior officials, operating two Bombardier CRJ-200 jet aircraft;
 * UAV/Drone Unit (AP-UAV): Operates all unmanned aircraft, namely 3 human-sized drones (AAI RQ-7 Shadow) purchased from the Canadian Forces, which are used by the constabulary for remote surveillance purposes;
 * 1st Auxiliary Air Transport Unit (AP-Aux1): Responsible for any air transport needs unable to be satisfied by above units; both 1st and 2nd Aux units each operate a single CRJ-200 of their own, and have the right to use the grounded S-76 of a Rotary Wing Patrol Unit if rotary wing air transport is required;
 * 2nd Auxiliary Air Transport Unit (AP-Aux2): See above.