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The DEA’s Aviation Operations Center at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, TX

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Aviation Division’s mission is to provide aviation support to operational and intelligence elements within DEA and the law enforcement community to detect, locate, identify, and assess illicit narcotics-related trafficking activities. Aviation support is critical to DEA’s strategic goal of disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations having a significant impact on America’s illegal drug availability. The Aviation Division accomplishes its mission utilizing trained Special Agent/Pilots and a fleet of both airplanes and helicopters.

The aviation program started in 1971 as part of DEA’s predecessor agency, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, with a single aircraft. By 1973, when DEA was created, the program had grown to 24 aircraft and 41 Special Agent/Pilots overseen by a Chief Pilot. In 1994, it was granted field division status and the Chief Pilot position was converted to a Special Agent in Charge. Today, the Aviation Division consists of approximately 125 Special Agent/Pilots and nearly 100 aircraft.

A DEA Bell 407 helicopter performs support for marijuana eradication efforts.

The Aviation Division coordinates and oversees operations from the Aviation Operations Center (AOC), which is located at Alliance Airport, Fort Worth, Texas. The AOC serves as the primary maintenance facility for the division’s fleet of aircraft and is the headquarters for the division’s supervisory, administrative and contract personnel.

The Aviation Division has four Aviation Resident Offices based outside major metropolitan areas. Additionally, personnel are based in other locations throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Afghanistan.

The Aviation Division supports DEA’s enforcement efforts through surveillance, photographic reconnaissance, movement of personnel and cargo and transportation of fugitives and prisoners.

Interested in a career with DEA with the future goal of becoming a Special Agent/Pilot?

• DEA’s King Air 350 aircraft operate in challenging environments such as South America and Afghanistan.

  Applicants are expected to complete a minimum of two years in good standing as a Special Agent conducting enforcement operations. This provides our Special Agent/Pilots with the knowledge and experience needed to effectively provide aviation support to ongoing DEA investigations.
• The most successful Special Agent/Pilot candidates possess a background of military or law enforcement combined with aviation experience.
• Applicants must, at a minimum, hold an FAA issued private pilots license with either an airplane and/or helicopter rating. Additional ratings and/or Military flight experience are desirable.
• Applicants must also possess a current FAA Class I or II medical certificate.
• Applicants will have opportunities to obtain additional ratings and advance into more complex aircraft after they become proficient in their primary aircraft.
• Applicants will have the opportunity to travel extensively and fly in a wide range of environments and diverse locations in support of DEA’s worldwide mission.