Family and friends of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s newest Aviation Support Unit members gathered at John Wayne Airport on Tuesday. They met in the Aviation Support Unit hanger to see each of the three Deputies pinned with wings.

The ceremony capped hundreds of hours of highly specialized training that led to Deputy Erik Baum being qualified as a Tactical Flight Officer and Deputies Rob Mergen and Mike Russell qualified as Department Helicopter Pilots.

Newest members of the Aviation Support Unit, left to right, Pilot Deputies Mike Russell and Rob Mergen and Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Erik Baum.

Photos by Sheriff's Photographer Jerry Manson  

Some Aero Squadron Facts for 2008

Flight time: 3,794 hours

Calls for Service: 3,271

Search and Rescue Missions: 150

Lost Hikers Found: 30

Training for Tactical Flight Officer:  3 months

Training for Department Helicopter Pilot: 500 hours over nine-months

Duties of Tactical Flight Officer:  Operate all equipment not used for flying the craft, including radar, observation aids, communications devices and illumination from Nightsun searchlight. A Tactical Flight officer also assists the pilot when needed and acts as an extra set of eyes and ears for the pilot. Must be able to multi-task.

For more photgraphs and information on the three Deputies click [more]

Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Erik Baum 

Deputy Baum graduated high school in 1987, and in 1988, he joined the United States Marine Corps. After Boot Camp, Deputy Baum became a CH-46 Mechanic / Air Crew and was assigned to the MCAS EL Toro. During his time in the Marine Corp, Deputy Baum worked his way through College and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Deputy Baum started the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy in October  of 1993.  After the Academy, Deputy Baum was assigned to the Intake and Release Center.  In April 2000, Deputy Baum transferred to North Operations and patrolled the areas of unincorporated Anaheim and Midway City. 

During Deputy Baum’s seven years in patrol, he received the MADD award, Auto Theft Recovery Award, and the Life Saving Award.  Deputy Baum was also a Field Training Officer (FTO), CRIT member and acting supervisor.

In April of 2007, Deputy Baum began flight training during his off time and received his private pilot rating for single engine airplane by August 2007.

In September of 2007, Deputy Baum transferred to the Risk Management Bureau where he dealt with claims and lawsuits against the Department and assisted with policies and procedures. 

In May of 2009, Deputy Baum transferred to the Aviation Support Unit and trained as a Tactical Flight Officer (TFO). Deputy Baum’s ultimate goal is to become a Duke pilot and then retire from the Aviation Support Unit.

Deputy Baum continues to stay current with his patrol training and works a DUI car in the city of Mission Viejo on a regular basis.

Deputy Baum spends his free time with his wife, Sheryl, and four year-old Logan. The Baum family loves boating in Lake Havasu and Catalina, flying, hiking, outdoor sports and going to Hockey games.  

Captain Brian Wilkerson congratulates Pilot Deputy Mike Russell

Pilot Deputy Mike Russell  

Deputy Mike Russell’s father, Bob Russell, was a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for over 28 years and retired as an investigator. Watching his father work as deputy sheriff and also taking college courses in Administration of Justice, led him to want to be a part of the Orange County Sherriff’s Department.  

Mike joined the department in October of 1979,  starting his career in the Main Jail, where he worked for three month until being assigned to attend class #46 at the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy, graduating in March of 1980.  From there he returned to the Main Jail.  His next transfer was to the Superior Court as a bailiff, until being promoted to Deputy II in October of 1981.  Mike was assigned to South Patrol in April of 1982, where he was a Field Training Officer. Due to his hard and dedicated work in South Patrol, he was selected Deputy of the year for Mission Viejo.  

From South Patrol, he was assigned to Transportation, where he spent the majority of his time in the Statewide Detail.  This was an interesting assignment for Mike, as he made contacts with other agencies, including aviation divisions throughout California, always representing the OCSD in a professional manner, leaving other agencies with a high regard for the OCSD. 

During this time he had the opportunity to work with the Sheriff’s Aero Squadron, which sparked his interest in aviation.  In December of 1990, he started to take flying lessons, completing his fixed-wing license six months later. 

Mike was able to apply his personal interest in aviation within the department by assisting the Aero squadron during their annual training sessions.  Mike taught a course on prisoner transportation in aircraft, using his knowledge of aviation, law enforcement, and transportation. 

His Division Commander, knowing his background in aviation, suggested that Mike move to an assignment at the John Wayne Airport, which he did in 1996.  Mike continued working with the Aero Squadron in their annual training sessions for a few years thereafter.  While at the airport, Mike received a Medal of Honor for Life Saving. 

Mike’s ultimate goal in the department was to work in Air Support as a pilot.  Mike first applied for an observer position in 1985.  This became a reality when he was selected as an alternate observer in 2001, and then assigned observer in July, 2002. 

Mike started his helicopter pilot training in October 2007, earning his Commercial license in December.  Mike continued his training with the Air Support Unit pilot training program. He finished his in-house training ten months later and became an Orange County Sherriff’s Air Support Unit line pilot.  

During his pilot career Mike has been involved in various meaningful assignments and calls.  The most memorable being a successful lifesaving incident in the Cleveland National Forest involving a runner missing for four days. 

Mike is an Orange County / California native, having been born in Orange.  Mike grew up in Huntington Beach, and now lives in Lake Forest with his wife of 24 years.  They have two yellow labs, both of which are change-of-occupation Guide Dogs.  In the last 13 years they have volunteered as puppy raisers, having raised six puppies for Guide Dogs of America. 

Mike and his wife spend their “free” time, camping, boating, hiking, ATV’ing, and traveling to other countries.  They love the outdoors, and spend time with friends and family as much as possible. 

Veteran Pilots Jeff Crowley, left and Chief Pilot David Tilstra, right, congratulate new Pilot Deputy Rob Mergen

In August, 1982, after finishing high school, Deputy Mergen joined the United States Marine Corps.  After Boot Camp Deputy Mergen attended the aviation Crash Fire & Rescue firefighting school in Millington, Tennessee.  After graduating at the top of his class, he was transferred to Iwakuni Japan as an aviation firefighter.  After arriving in Japan, then Lance Corporal Mergen saw that there was an opening for a search & rescue swimmer with the air base’s Search Air Rescue unit.  After several tests and interviews, Lance Corporal Mergen was sent to the United States Navy Rescue Swimmer course, and upon graduating was assigned as an aircrew man/rescue swimmer on a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, thus starting a lifelong love for aviation.

In July of 1990, then Staff Sergeant Mergen left the Marine Corps and joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, attending academy class #102.  Deputy Mergen graduated from the academy on January 16, 1991, the day the first Gulf War started. Upon graduation Deputy Mergen was assigned to the Theo Lacy jail.  During his seven and a half years at Theo Lacy, Deputy Mergen worked a variety of positions, including housing, main control, hospital and classification.

After graduating from the academy Deputy Mergen re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as a Military Policeman assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.  He remained in the Marine Corps Reserve until 2000, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant.  During his time at El Toro, Deputy Mergen’s love for aviation remained strong. In 1994 he started taking flying lessons at the air station’s flying club, earning his airplane Private Pilot’s license seven weeks later.  He continued to fly and train as much as possible.  He added his airplane Instrument Rating and flies aerobatics.    

In 1997 Deputy Mergen was transferred to South Patrol, working the cities of Laguna Hills, San Juan Capistrano, Lake Forest and Unincorporated South.  He worked as a patrol deputy, traffic deputy and then approximately seven years as a motor deputy.  He was also a member of the Major Accident Reconstruction Team for seven years.

From his earliest days at the Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Mergen knew he wanted to become a member of the department’s Air Support Unit.  His chance came in 2005 when he was assigned as an alternate Tactical Flight Officer.  In September, 2006 Deputy Mergen was transferred to Air Support as a full time Tactical Flight Officer.  In September, 2008 deputy Mergen started his helicopter flight training, earning his Commercial Helicopter license in November.  In March of 2009 Deputy Mergen continued his training with the Air Support’s in-house pilot training, completing his training and earning a position as pilot for the department’s Air Support Unit in October.

Deputy Mergen was born and raised in Orange County.  He has been married to his high school sweetheart for the past 22+ years and has two sons, Robbie 19 and Brian 17.  In his free time he enjoys spending time with his pets (two Boxers and a Parrot) and riding motocross with his sons.